Investing.com - The dollar remained mixed in Asia Monday following housing data from China and with events in Russia-Ukraine at the weekend still the market focus.
On Friday, Ukraine said it destroyed armored vehicles that had been seen entering the country from Russia, helping the yen and Swiss franc gain against the dollar last week.
At the weekend. Germany's top diplomat on Sunday brought together his Russian, Ukrainian and French counterparts "to attempt to make steps toward making a cease-fire possible" in eastern Ukraine, although the minister damped hopes of a breakthrough from the meeting at a Berlin lakeside retreat.
Discussions will focus on ending the violence in Ukraine, Steinmeier said, rather than debating Moscow's plan to send what it says is humanitarian aid to the rebel-held territories in the region.
China house prices data or July showed a 2.5% increase year-on-year, compared to theJune data showing a 4.2% gain.
Excluding public housing, private sector home prices fell in 64 of 70 Chinese cities in July, up from the 55 cities that posted declines in June.
EUR/USD traded at 1.3398, down 0.02%, while USD/JPY held at 102.29, down 0.07%, and USD/CHF changed hands at 0.9027, up 0.03%. AUD/USD traded flat at 0.9320.
Last week, the euro moved higher bolstered by expectations for fresh stimulus by the European Central Bank.
The US Dollar Index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, rose 0.03% to 81.49.
In the week ahead, investors will be looking ahead to Wednesday’s minutes of the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting, while the Bank of England and the Reserve Bank of Australia are also to publish meeting minutes. Thursday’s data on euro zone private sector activity will also be in focus.
Investors will also be anticipating an annual meeting of top central bank officials and economists in Jackson Hole, Wyoming from August 21 to 23.
The spotlight will be on Fed Chair Janet Yellen, who will speak on Friday in her first appearance at Jackson Hole as head of the U.S. central bank.
On Monday, Germany’s Bundesbank is to publish its monthly report. Canada is to release data on foreign securities purchases. The U.S. is to produce private sector data on the housing market.