Global investors await US inflation data, impacting Asian markets and currency exchange rates. The European single currency strengthened, while the dollar dropped against the yen. The yen was little changed after Tokyo core inflation data slowed, potentially impacting the Bank of Japan's monetary policy. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong pointed to a slight rebound, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained. Japan's core consumer price index in Tokyo fell to an annualized 2.1% in December, meeting the Bank of Japan's annual target of 2%.

Inflation Data Awaited, Markets React