While the greenback remains strong against commodity currencies, it's struggle to breakout from recent range against European majors. Fed chair Janet Yellen said yesterday in a private luncheon with Senate Democrats that things are going well for the US economy. However, she thought there's still a ways to go in the job markets and thus Fed isn't ready to hike rates immediately. Meanwhile, she also shared concern about the situation abroad. Earlier this week, FOMC in the statement reiterated that it's "patient" regarding the first rate hike. Dollar was lifted as the statement didn't indicate the possibility of delay in rate hike.
Released in Japan, national CPI core slowed to 2.5% yoy in December versus expectation of 2.6% yoy. Excluding impact of tax hike, it slowed to 0.5% yoy, well below BoJ's 2% target. Tokyo CPI core dropped to 2.2% yoy in January, inline with consensus. Overall, markets expected that BoJ would likely refrain from adding stimulus and look through the impact of falling oil prices. Other data showed industrial production rose 1.0% mom versus expectation of 1.2% mom in December. Household spending dropped -3.4% yoy versus expectation of -2.3%. Unemployment rate dropped to 3.4%, lowest since 1997.
Elsewhere, New Zealand building permits dropped -2.1% mom in December. Australia PPI rose 0.1% qoq in Q4 versus expectation of 0.3% qoq. NZD has been under selling pressure since RBNZ moved to a neutral stance earlier this week and opened the door for rate cut. Meanwhile, Aussie is weighed down by speculation that RBA could cut rate next week, in response to the global easing campaign. Markets are pricing over 70% chance of a 25bps cut to new record low of 2.25%.
Looking ahead, Eurozone unemployment CPI and Italian unemployment rate will be released in European session. Swiss will release KOF leading indicator. UK will release mortgage approvals and M4. From US, main focus is on Q4 GDP while Chicago PMI will be featured. Canada will also release GDP.