The U.S.
dollar traded lower against the most major currencies after the release of mixed
U.S. economic data. The personal spending in the U.S. declined 0.1% in April,
after a 0.9% in March. Analysts had expected a rise of 0.2%.
The
personal income in the U.S. increased 0.3% in April, meeting expectations,
after a 0.5% gain in March.
Reuters/Michigan
consumer sentiment index declined to 81.9 in May, from 82.8 in April. Analysts
had forecasted the index to climb to 82.9.
The Chicago
purchasing managers' index climbed to a seven-month high of 65.5 in May, from
63.0 in March. Analysts had expected a decrease to 60.2.
The euro increased
against the U.S. dollar. The German adjusted retail sales dropped 0.9% in
April, after a 0.7% decline in March. Analysts had expected a 0.4% rise.
The
unadjusted retail sales in Germany climbed 3.4% in April, after a decrease of
1.9% in March.
The British
pound climbed against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic
reports in the U.K.
The Swiss
franc traded higher against the U.S. dollar. KOF leading indicator for
Switzerland dropped to 99.8 in May from 101.8 in April. April’s figure was
revised down to 101.8 from 102.04. Analysts had expected an increase to 102.05.
The
Canadian dollar declined against the U.S. dollar due to the weak Canadian gross
domestic product. The Canadian gross domestic product increased 0.1% in March,
meeting analysts’ expectations, after a 0.2% gain in February. This data means
that the Bank of Canada will likely keep interest rates unchanged next week.
The raw
material price index in Canada climbed 0.1% in April, after a 0.6% rise in
March. Analysts had expected a 1.2% gain.
The New
Zealand dollar traded mixed against the U.S dollar. The number of new dwellings
excluding apartments in New Zealand climbed 2.7% on year. That is the highest
level since September 2007.
The
building permits in New Zealand increased 1.5% in April, after an 8.3% gain in
March.
The
Australian dollar was up against the U.S. dollar after the release of the
better-than-expected private sector credit data in Australia, but later lost
its gains. The private sector credit data in Australia increased 0.5% in April,
from a 0.4% rise in March. Analysts had expected a 0.4% gain. On a yearly
basis, the private sector credit data in Australia rose 4.6% in April, from a
4.4% rise in March.
The
Japanese yen traded mixed against the U.S. dollar after release of mixed
economic data in Japan. Japan's core consumer price index excluding fresh food
climbed at an annual rate of 3.2% in April, after a 1.3% increase in March.
That was the fastest pace since February 1991. Analysts had expected 3.1% rise.
Household
spending in Japan declined by an annualized rate of 4.6% in April, after a 7.2%
rise in March. Analysts had forecasted a 3.2% decrease.
The
industrial production in Japan decreased 2.5% in April, after a 0.7% gain in
March. Analysts had expected a 1.9% drop.