The euro rose to a two-week low against the dollar, almost reaching the maximum values ​​of the session, helped by weak U.S. data. Note that another worrying sign for the manufacturing sector after yesterday's business activity index, was published today by the Commerce Department report, which reflected a much larger-than-expected drop in new orders for manufactured durable goods in March. The report showed that orders for durable goods fell by 5.7% in March after a revised 4.3% rise in February. And with the seasonally adjusted total orders for durable goods in March totaled 216.28 billion. Economists had expected orders decreased by 2.8% compared with 5.6% growth, which have been registered in the previous month. Orders for durable goods excluding transportation equipment in the U.S. in March fell 1.4%. Orders for durable goods excluding defense value of the goods in the United States in March decreased by 4.7%. In addition, it was reported that orders for durable goods excluding transportation equipment in the U.S. in February revised to -1.7% from -0.5%.

It is also worth noting that the news from Italy point to the fact that the newly elected President Napolitano requested E. Lehto (try) to form a new coalition government, in order to break the political deadlock in the country, which is observed since the last elections held in late February.

The British pound retreated from the maximum values ​​of today's session after a disappointing report of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) on retail sales. According to the data, the volume index of retail sales in March is -1, and the index of expectations for sales in March fell to a yearly low -6. In addition, a separate report showed that the number of mortgage approvals for house purchase in the UK rose in March, was slightly below forecasts of experts.

According to the report, the number of approved applications for mortgage loans increased at the end of last month at 31,227, up from 30,579 in February. Note that many economists predicted that the value of this index will increase to 31400.Krome addition, the data showed that the amount of net debt, which is pledged to the banks fell following last month by 0.1%, while the bulk of the unsecured loans decreased by 1.6% over the same period. In the Confederation of British Industry also noted that gross mortgage loans made in March 7.60 billion pounds, down from the last monthly average.

The New Zealand dollar rose after the central bank of New Zealand kept interest rates unchanged at 2.5%. Commenting on the decision, the head of the RBNZ Graeme Wheeler said the decision to leave rates unchanged was due to the fact that inflation has remained low-key, and economic growth is picking up. In addition, Wheeler said that the central bank will keep interest rates at the same level until the end of the year, as indicated in the March statement on monetary policy.

Meanwhile, the head said that inflation this year is expected to remain close to the lower boundary of the medium-term target range of 1-3 percent. We also recall that, according to official figures, in the first quarter consumer price index increased by 0.9 per cent per annum. However, the central bank seemed to be concerned about the high rate of inflation in housing prices in some regions, despite the fact that prices have increased.

The U.S. dollar climbed against the most major currencies because of the better-than-expected durable goods orders. The U.S. durable goods orders rose 2.6% in March from 2.2% in February. It is the highest increase since November 2013. The projected figure was 2.2%. But later, the U.S. dollar lost its gains. The number of initial jobless claims rose 24,000 to 329,000 for the week ended April 19.

The euro declined against U.S. dollar to 1.3790 but recovered quickly. The reason for this movement were the U.S. durable goods and initial jobless claims figures.

The New Zealand dollar increased against the U.S. dollar and reached a one-week high of $0.8638. The reason for the strength of New Zealand dollar was the hike of interest rate by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. The central bank raised its interest rate to 3.0% from 2.75%. This decision was expected by market participants. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Graeme Wheeler said this move is necessary because of the inflationary pressures. The likelihood is very high that the central bank will hike interest rates again in June. But later, the New Zealand dollar lost its all gains.

The British pound traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. The better-than-expected CBI retail sales volume balance figure supported the British currency. The CBI retail sales index rose to 30 in April from 13 in March. Analysts forecasted the increase to 18. The better-than-expected U.S. durable goods orders put under pressure the British currency.

EUR/USD $1.2925, $1.2995, $1.3000, $1.3060, $1.3065

USD/JPY Y98.00, Y98.60, Y99.00, Y99.20, Y99.50, Y100.00

EUR/GBP stg0.8530

USD/CHF Chf0.9300

EUR/CHF Chf1.230

AUD/USD $1.0150, $1.0200, $1.0250

NZD/USD $0.8420

USD/CAD C$1.0290, C$1.0400

Germany sold E1.683bln in 30-year benchmark 2.50% July 2044 at average yield 2.16% (2.45%) and bid-to-cover 1.5 times (1.8).

Sold E0.75bln vs target E0.5-E0.75bln

- Sold E0.75bln 2.60% Sep 2023 BTPei; avg yield 2.65% (3.02%), cover 1.91 (2.96)

ITALY CTZ AUCTION RESULTS: Sold E2.5bln vs target E2.0bln-E2.5bln

- Sold E2.5bln of Dec 2014 CTZ; avg yield 1.167% (1.746%), cover 1.66 (1.43)

EUR/USD $1.2925, $1.2995, $1.3000, $1.3065

USD/JPY Y98.00, Y98.60, Y99.20, Y99.50, Y100.00

USD/CHF Chf0.9300

AUD/USD $1.0150, $1.0200, $1.0250

USD/CAD C$1.0290, C$1.0400

01:00 Australia CPI, q/q Quarter I +0.2% +0.7% +0.4%

01:00 Australia CPI, y/y Quarter I +2.2% +2.8% +2.5%

03:30 Australia RBA Assist Gov Lowe Speaks

The euro was 0.2 percent from a two-week low before a German report forecast to show business confidence fell in the currency bloc's largest economy, fueling speculation the European Central Bank will cut interest rates. The Ifo institute's business climate index for Germany, based on a survey of about 7,000 executives, dropped to 106.2 in April from 106.7, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News before today's report. A German purchasing managers' index unexpectedly fell yesterday, while the Bundesbank said in its monthly report this week that the nation's recovery may be delayed.

New Zealand's dollar jumped after central bank Governor Graeme Wheeler said growth has picked up. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand left its benchmark interest rate unchanged today at 2.5 percent. The RBNZ "does not want to see financial or price stability compromised by housing demand getting too far ahead of supply," Wheeler said in a statement.

Australia's currency dropped versus all of its major peers after data showed the nation's inflation slowed. In Australia, the so-called trimmed mean gauge of core prices rose 0.3 percent in the first quarter from the previous period, the Bureau of Statistics said in Sydney today, compared with the median forecast of economists of a 0.5 percent gain.

The yen swayed between gains and losses as investors speculated whether comments from the Bank of Japan this week can weaken it to 100 per dollar for the first time in four years.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session the pair traded in a range of $ 1.2985/05

GBP / USD: during the Asian session the pair rose to $ 1.5250.

USD / JPY: during the Asian session the pair fell to Y99.15.

(pare/closed(00:00 GMT +02:00)/change, %)

EUR/USD $1,3003 -0,45%

GBP/USD $1,5235 -0,34%

USD/CHF Chf0,9452 +1,17%

USD/JPY Y99,40 +0,10%

EUR/JPY Y129,22 -0,37%

GBP/JPY Y151,40 -0,25%

AUD/USD $1,0270 -0,01%

NZD/USD $0,8433 +0,09%

01:00 Australia CPI, q/q Quarter I +0.2% +0.7%

01:00 Australia CPI, y/y Quarter I +2.2% +2.8%

03:30 Australia RBA Assist Gov Lowe Speaks

06:00 Switzerland UBS Consumption Indicator March 1.26

08:00 Germany IFO - Business Climate April 106.7 106.4

08:00 Germany IFO - Current Assessment April 109.9 109.5

08:00 Germany IFO - Expectations April 103.6 103.0

08:30 United Kingdom BBA Mortgage Approvals March 30.5 31.2

10:00 United Kingdom CBI retail sales volume balance April 0 7

12:30 U.S. Durable Goods Orders ex Transportation March -0.5% +0.5%

12:30 U.S. Durable Goods Orders March +5.7% -2.8%

12:30 U.S. Durable goods orders ex defense March +4.5% -2.7%

13:00 Belgium Business Climate April -15.0 -14.3

13:30 U.S. Treasury Sec Lew Speaks

14:30 U.S. Crude Oil Inventories April -1.2

20:15 Canada BOC Gov Carney Speaks