The U.S.
dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies. Increasing concerns over
tensions in Ukraine had a negative impact on markets. Pro-Russian separatists
said that the referendum held in two regions of eastern Ukraine proved
successful. Both Ukrainian government and the West condemned the vote. Later in
the day, the Congressional Budget Office will release the U.S. federal budget
balance.
The euro traded
mixed against the U.S. dollar. No economic data was published in the Eurozone.
The Swiss
Franc traded lower against the U.S. dollar. Market participants remained
unimpressed by the Swiss economic data. Swiss retail sales increased 3.0%, from
a 1.2% rise in February. February’s figure was revised up from 1.0%. Analysts
had expected a 1.9% increase.
The British
pound climbed against the U.S., but later lost a part of its gains. The British
currency was supported by expectations that the Bank of England will hike
interest rates in the first quarter of the next year.
The
Canadian dollar recovered a part of its Friday’s losses against the U.S.
dollar.
The New
Zealand dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. No economic data was
published in New Zealand.
The
Australian dollar increased against the U.S., but later lost its gains. The
Australian currency was supported by good economic data from Australia. The
National Australia Bank’s business confidence index increased to 6 in April,
from 4.1 in March.