Investing.com - The Japanese yen was flat to slightly stronger early in Asia on Tuesday ahead of a major data release day across the region.
USD/JPY traded at 101.31, down 0.02%, ahead of the latest Bank of Japan quarterly survey.
Japan's quarterly Tankan survey of business sentiment is due today at 0850 Japan time (2350 GMT). The diffusion index for sentiment among major manufacturers is seen at plus 16 in June, compared to plus 17 in March, which would be the first drop in six quarters since it slumped to minus 12 in December 2012.
Later in the day, at 1030 (0130 GMT), Japan's May average cash earnings data are due. Then at 1400 (0500 GMT), June new car sales data are due.
The Reserve Bank of Australia holds a policy board meeting and will announce its decision at 1430 Sydney time (0430 GMT). For the tenth meeting in a row, the RBA is expected to leave the cash rate unchanged at a record low 2.5%, but there is a greater possibility the bank may revert to the dovish stance.
AUD/USD traded flat at 0.9432 ahead of the data and the release of manufacturing figures from top export destination China.
Earlier, Australia's June AI Group manufacturing index is due at 0930 (2330 GMT) while the RBA Commodity Price Index is scheduled for release at 1630 (0630 GMT). The manufacturing index will be watched for any fall after a surprise 4.4 point rise in May that took the index closer to expansion zone. The commodity index is expected to drop further in June after a 1.1% m/m fall in May.
In China, the June CFLP manufacturing PMI is due at 0900 local time (0100 GMT) followed by the 0945 (0145 GMT) release of HSBC's final June manufacturing PMI.
For the CFLP PMI, economists are expecting a reading of 51.0 versus 50.8, which would would mark the fourth straight monthly improvement and the best reading since last November. As for HSBC's PMI, the surprisingly strong flash reading of 50.8 has helped to marginally strengthen sentiment and that is also seen as the final figure.
Overnight, the dollar traded largely lower against most major currencies after a disappointing regional U.S. factory data sparked concerns that Thursday's widely-watched jobs report may come in sluggish and sway monetary authorities to leave interest rates low for longer than once thought.
The National Association of Realtors reported earlier that pending home sales jumped 6.1% in May from April, far surpassing market calls for a 1.5% reading.
Still, the dollar slipped after industry data released earlier revealed that the Chicago purchasing managers’ index declined to 62.6 this month from 65.5 in May, missing expectations for a 63.0 reading.
Investors were turning their attention to the U.S. June nonfarm payrolls report, which will release a day early on Thursday due to the Independence Day holiday on Friday, avoiding the dollar during the trading session ahead of time.
Markets were eager for the release of a key manufacturing gauge on Tuesday as well.
Meanwhile in Europe, the euro saw support after preliminary data revealed that the euro zone's annual inflation rate remained unchanged at 0.5% in June, easing pressure on the European Central Bank to announce fresh monetary easing measures.
It was the ninth consecutive month in which the inflation rate was below 1%. The ECB targets an inflation rate of close to but just under 2.0%.
The core inflation rate ticked up to 0.8% from 0.7% in May.
The ECB announced a package of measure aimed at staving off the threat of deflation on June 5, including cutting rates to record lows and imposing negative rates on lenders to encourage lending to consumers.
The US Dollar Index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was down 0.32% at 79.82.
On Tuesday, the dollar should move on the Institute of Supply Management's report on U.S. U.S. manufacturing activity.