Asian session review The dollar reversals on Brainard's comments

The Australian dollar fell slightly, despite the more positive-than-expected economic data from China and Australia. Today was published the monthly report on the index of business sentiment from Australian National Australia Bank. It is based on a survey of top managers of more than 500 green companies on the continent. It turned out that in August, the index fell 2 points to 7.0. However, the index of business sentiment rose to six, after a decline of one point in July. Also, increased sales and profits of companies and the employment index showed growth above the average by 4 points.

Also, today's report, published by China's National Bureau of Statistics showed that the volume of industrial production in August, year on year increased by 6.3%. Analysts had expected an increase of 6.1%. During the period from January to August of last year this indicator increased by 6.0%. Production growth was recorded in 33 of 41 industries. The highest growth rates showed the automotive and electronics industry.

Also today was reported that retail sales in China increased in August by 10.6%, after rising by 10.2% previously. Analysts had expected an increase of 10.3%. The volume of investments in fixed assets in China, with the exception of agriculture, grew by 6.1%, lower than the previous value of 8.1%, and experts forecast of 8.0% in January-August 2016.

At the end of eight months of this year the volume of investments in the Chinese mining industry grew by 21.5%. The inflow of investments in the manufacturing sector increased by 3%.

The US dollar traded in a narrow range against the major currencies, as investors continue to analyze the comments from the Fed before the meeting of the US central bank, which is scheduled for September 20-21.

Fed official Lael Brainard said yesterday that the grounds for preventive rate hikes seem less convincing, and improvement in the labor market has not had the desired impact on inflation. "Right now, the impact of external negative shocks stronger than before, focusing on downside risks than pre-emptively raise rates". According to the futures market, the likelihood of a hike in September is 12% against 24% before Brainard's speech. Meanwhile, the probability of rate increase during the December meeting of the Fed declined to 56.8% from 59.3% the previous day.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair was trading in the $ 1.1225-40 range

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair was trading in the $ 1.3315-40 range

USD / JPY: during the Asian session, the pair was trading in the Y101.40-00 range