In brief – Japanese yen, Swiss franc, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and New Zealand dollar

• Positive construction data from Japan strengthened the Japanese Yen on Monday morning; statistics showed a significant 1.5% increase on previous readings. Japanese household spending figures were also forecast for growth which should lend itself to a strong Yen performance.

• The KOF Economic Barometer revealed positive growth in the Swiss economy on Monday. The barometer accounts for over 219 different economic parameters, including exchange rates, banking confidence and production. Positive data released here guaranteed some strength in the Swiss Franc.

• Three sets of positive Canadian data lent some strength to the Canadian Dollar. The Raw Materials Price Index (RMPI) and Canadian current account data both showed growth, and bolstered the nation’s currency.

• The most important data of the day came from Australia, where the cash rate data was forecast to stay on hold for another month. However, with Building Approvals expected to come up a long way short of the expected mark, the Australian Dollar may be struggling come Tuesday morning.

• On Tuesday, the focus turns to Canadian growth figures released at 8.30am, New Zealand GDT Price Index figures released at 9.30am and Australian GDP rounding off the day at 7.30pm.

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