Australia’s dollar rose against most of its major counterparts as speculation the Greek parliament will approve a package of austerity measures today boosted demand for higher-yielding assets.
New Zealand’s currency strengthened for a second day against the greenback as Asian stocks rallied. Gains in the two South Pacific nations’ dollars were tempered amid concern Europe will still struggle to contain its sovereign debt woes.
The 17-nation currency was still headed for a second quarterly gain on speculation Greece’s debt crisis won’t prevent the European Central Bank from raising interest rates next week to cool inflation. The dollar traded near the strongest in three weeks versus the yen after Treasury yields jumped yesterday, enhancing the allure of U.S. assets. South Korea’s won rose for a second day on speculation the central bank will boost interest rates after the government raised its inflation forecast.
The yen gained against the euro for the first time in three days on speculation Japanese companies bought the currency after yesterday’s declines.
EUR/USD: the pair grown in area $1.4400.
GBP/USD: the pair holds in $1.5975-$ 1.6010.
USD/JPY: the pair holds in Y80.90-Y81.10.
UK data is released at 0830GMT and includes the April Index of Services, BOE Lending to Individuals, May BOE Final M4 and May BOE Effective Rates.
At 0900GMT, the EMU June business climate indicator data is released. The US 24 June week EIA Crude Oil Stocks numbers are released at 1430GMT.