Investing.com - The yen was a tad weaker in early Asia on Monday as investors kept a focus on upcoming central bank remarks in Japan and the U.S.
USD/JPY traded at 120.58, up 0.07%, while AUD/USD changed hands at 0.7014, down 0.17%.
Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda is slated to give a speech to business leaders in Osaka at 1430 local time (0530 GMT)
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was down 0.03% at 96.33.
Later on Monday, New York Federal Reserve President William Dudley and Chicago Fed President Charles Evans are both to speak, at separate events.
The U.S. is to release data on personal income and spending as well as a report on pending home sales.
Last week, the dollar rose against the other major currencies on Friday after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen indicated that she still expects interest rates to rise later this year and as U.S. second quarter growth was revised higher.
The dollar found support after Yellen said Thursday the U.S. central bank remains on track to raise interest rates this year.
The comments reassured investors that monetary policy has not altered significantly following the Fed’s decision to hold off hiking rates earlier this month.
An increase in interest rates would boost the greenback by making it more attractive to yield-seeking investors.
The greenback received an additional boost after data on Friday showed that the U.S. economy grew at a faster rate than previously estimated in the three months to June.
The Commerce Department said gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 3.9% in the second quarter, up from an initial estimate of 3.7%.
Consumer spending, which comprises more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity was revised up to 3.6% from the 3.1% reported in August.
In the week ahead, investors will be looking ahead to Friday’s jobs report for September. A strong reading would bolster expectations for a Fed lift-off before the end of the year.
Market participants will also be watching Wednesday’s euro zone inflation report amid concerns that the ECB could ramp up its monetary stimulus program.