Investing.com - The Australian dollar held flat and the Japanese yen weakened slightly in Asia on Thursday with the focus on data out of Sydeny on the spending plans of private firms, particularly mining.
Australia's second quarter private new capex (capital expernditure) data is due at 1130 Sydney (0130 GMT). Private capex is expected to show a 0.3% quarter-on-quarter fall.
AUD/USD traded at 0.9336, flat from overnight, and USD/JPY traded at 103.91, up 0.03%.
Overnight, the dollar traded lower against most major currencies as investors flocked to the euro after German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble said markets may have branded recent comments out of the European Central Bank as overly dovish.
The single currency strengthened after German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble said comments made by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi Draghi suggesting fiscal policy could spur growth were "overinterpreted."
Draghi said last week that the policy makers are ready to take more unconventional action if needed to stimulate a sluggish euro zone economy, which left many pondering the possibility that fiscal stimulus could accompany loose monetary policies to jumpstart European recovery.
Elsewhere, data revealed that the Gfk German consumer climate index fell to 8.6 this month from 9.0 in July. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged in August, though Schauble's comments served as the pair's chief steering current.
Profit taking, meanwhile, also nudged the dollar lower.
The dollar advanced in recent sessions due to upbeat economic indicators and optimistic comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.
Investors also avoided the greenback ahead of a flurry of economic indicators due out on Thursday.
On Thursday, markets will move on U.S. gross domestic product data, weekly initial jobless claims and a report on pending home sales, with investors hoping the indicators will shed light on the pace of U.S. recovery as well as the future of monetary policy.
Elsewhere, Ukraine continued to accuse Russian forces of crossing its border one day after leaders from both countries agreed to find ways to end the separatist war raging in the eastern reaches of the country.
Geopolitical tensions often weaken the dollar by stoking concerns that military conflicts will drag on the global economy and dampen U.S. recovery.
The US Dollar Index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was up 0.01% at 82.49.