The U.S.
dollar traded higher against the most major currencies after the release of strong
U.S. economic data. U.S. durable goods orders rose 0.8% in April, after a 2.9%
gain in March. March’s figure was revised up to 2.9% from 2.6%. Analysts had
expected a 0.4% decrease. April’s increase of durable goods orders was driven
by demand for defence goods
U.S. core
durable goods orders excluding transportation climbed 0.1% in April, after a
2.4% gain in March. March’s figure was revised up to a 2.4% increase from a
2.0% rise. Analysts had forecasted a 0.2% gain.
U.S. core
durable goods orders excluding defence dropped 0.8% in April, after a 1.8% rise
in March.
The
Conference Board released its index of consumer confidence. The consumer
confidence index climbed to 83.0 in May, from 81.7 in April. April’s figure was
revised down from 82.3.
Standard
& Poor’s/Case-Shiller house price index increased at an annualized rate of
12.4% in March, after a 12.9% rise in February. Analysts had expected an 11.9% increase.
U.S. flash
services purchasing manager index surged to 58.4 in April, from 55.0 in March.
Analysts had expected an increase to 55.6.
The euro
dropped against the U.S. dollar due to strong U.S. economic data. The European
Central Bank President Mario Draghi said on Tuesday the ECB is aware of risks
from low inflation. He added that the ECB had the tools to get inflation in the
Eurozone back close to 2%. His comments have fanned expectations for further stimulus
measures by the ECB in June.
The British
pound declined against the U.S. dollar after the release of U.K. mortgage
approvals and strong U.S. economic data. U.K. mortgage approvals climbed by
42,200 in April, missing expectations for a 45,200 gain. March’s figure was
revised down to a 45,000 rise from a previously estimated 45,900 increase.
The Swiss
franc traded lower against the U.S. dollar. Switzerland's trade surplus rose to
2.425 billion Swiss francs in April, from 1.996 billion Swiss francs in March.
March’s figure was revised down from a previously estimated surplus of 2.050
billion Swiss francs. Analysts had expected the trade surplus to climb to 2.052
billion Swiss francs.
The number
of employed people in Switzerland remained unchanged at 4.190 million in the
first quarter. Analysts had forecasted an increase to 4.210 million.
The New
Zealand dollar declined against the U.S in the absence of any major economic
reports in New Zealand.
The
Australian dollar climbed to 1-week highs against the U.S. dollar in the
absence of any major economic reports in Australia, but later lost all its gains.
The
Japanese yen increased against the U.S. dollar after the release of
corporate services price index in Japan, but later lost all its gains. The
corporate services price index in Japan climbed 3.4% in April, from 0.7% in
March. Analysts had expected a 3.3% increase.