Foreign exchange market. Asian session: U.S. dollar drops across the board after weaker-than-expected consumer sentiment index

(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual

00:01 United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (MoM) February +1.4% +2.1%

00:01 United Kingdom Rightmove House Price Index (YoY) February +8.2% +6.6%

00:30 Australia New Motor Vehicle Sales (MoM) January +3.0% -1.5%

00:30 Australia New Motor Vehicle Sales (YoY) January -1.0% +0.2%

02:00 China New Loans January 697 1355 1470

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (MoM) (Finally) December +1.0% +1.0% +0.8%

04:30 Japan Industrial Production (YoY) (Finally) December +0.3% +0.3% +1.0%

The U.S. dollar traded lower against the most major currencies after data on Friday showed that U.S. consumer sentiment unexpectedly worsened in February. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary consumer sentiment index declined to 93.6 in February from a final reading of 98.1 in January, missing expectations for an increase to 98.2. That was the highest level since January 2004. The harsh weather may have been a key factor of the drop.

The U.S. import price index dropped by 2.8 percent in January, beating expectations for a 3.1% fall, after a 1.9% decline in December. That was the biggest drop since December 2008.

Today U.S. markets are closed for a public holiday.

The euro strengthened against the greenback as data from Germany, the Eurozone's biggest economy, showed that the economy grew at +0.7%, more than twice as fast as the forecasted +0.3%. Today further negotiations between Greece and E.U.-officials will take place. Last week's talks ended without an agreement. Over the weekend Alexis Tsirpas, Greece's Prime Minister, said in an interview he wants to create a "win-win" situation for both sides.

The Australian dollar traded stronger on Monday. New Motor Vehicle Sales declined by -1.5% in January after they rose +3.0% in December. Year on year they rose +0.2% compared to -1.0%.

Data from China, Australia's biggest trade partner, showed that New Loans rose to 1470, above estimates of 1355.

New Zealand's dollar advanced for a third day against the greenback in Asian trade as Retail Sales rose. Retail Sales rose by +1.7% from +1.6% (revised from +1.5%), year on year Retail Sales in the fourth quarter rose +1.5% compared to +1.5% (revised from +1.4%).

The Japanese yen traded stronger against the greenback on Monday Asia's second largest economy exited recession in the final quarter of last year although growth was weaker than expected. Sunday's data on Japan's GDP for the fourth quarter came in at +0.6% from -0.6% (revised from +1.5%) in the previous quarter. Year on year GDP rose by +2.2% compared to -2.3% (revised from +2.0%). Month on moth Industrial Production rose less than expected +0.8% in December compared to +1.0% in November. Analysts expected an increase by +1.0%. Last week the yen rose as insiders said the BoJ sees further monetary easing as counterproductive for now as more stimulus would further hurt the currency. Now all eyes are on BoJ Governor Kuroda's speech scheduled for Wednesday.

EUR/USD: the euro traded stronger against the greenback

(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)

10:00 Eurozone Trade Balance s.a. December 20.0 21.3

10:00 Eurozone Eurogroup Meetings

11:00 Germany Bundesbank Monthly Report

13:00 U.S. Bank holiday