Investing.com - The euro remained lower against the dollar on Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank expects to start tapering bond purchases by the end of the year, but added that there was no “preset course.”
EUR/USD hit 1.3052 during U.S. morning trade, the session low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.3133, shedding 0.22%.
The pair was likely to find support at 1.3049, Tuesday’s low and resistance at 1.3205, the high of July 11.
Bernanke said the bank’s bond purchase program could be tapered at a faster pace, slower pace or even temporarily increased depending on economic and financial developments.
Bernanke said the economic recovery was continuing at a moderate pace but reiterated that accommodative monetary policy will still be necessary for the foreseeable future.
The comments came during prepared testimony to the Financial Services Committee in Congress.
Meanwhile, official data showed that the number of building permits issued in the U.S. fell unexpectedly in June, while housing starts tumbled.
The number of building permits issued in June fell 7.5% to a seasonally adjusted 0.911 million, confounding expectations for an increase of 1.5% to 1.000 million units.
U.S. housing starts plunged by 9.9% last month to hit a seasonally adjusted 0.836 million, compared to expectations for an increase of 3.9% to 0.959 million.
The euro was lower against the stronger pound, with EUR/GBP down 0.58% to 0.8633.
The pound strengthened broadly on Wednesday after the minutes of the Bank of England’s July meeting showed that policymakers voted unanimously to keep the bank’s quantitative easing program unchanged.
Two policymakers who had previously voted in favor of more stimulus said it remained "warranted".
Meanwhile, official data showed that the number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the U.K. fell by a seasonally adjusted 21,200 in June, better than expectations for a decline of 8,000.
The rate of unemployment held steady at 7.8% in May, in line with expectations and unchanged from April.
Elsewhere, the single currency was slightly higher against the yen, with EUR/JPY rising 0.16% to 130.63.
EUR/USD hit 1.3052 during U.S. morning trade, the session low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.3133, shedding 0.22%.
The pair was likely to find support at 1.3049, Tuesday’s low and resistance at 1.3205, the high of July 11.
Bernanke said the bank’s bond purchase program could be tapered at a faster pace, slower pace or even temporarily increased depending on economic and financial developments.
Bernanke said the economic recovery was continuing at a moderate pace but reiterated that accommodative monetary policy will still be necessary for the foreseeable future.
The comments came during prepared testimony to the Financial Services Committee in Congress.
Meanwhile, official data showed that the number of building permits issued in the U.S. fell unexpectedly in June, while housing starts tumbled.
The number of building permits issued in June fell 7.5% to a seasonally adjusted 0.911 million, confounding expectations for an increase of 1.5% to 1.000 million units.
U.S. housing starts plunged by 9.9% last month to hit a seasonally adjusted 0.836 million, compared to expectations for an increase of 3.9% to 0.959 million.
The euro was lower against the stronger pound, with EUR/GBP down 0.58% to 0.8633.
The pound strengthened broadly on Wednesday after the minutes of the Bank of England’s July meeting showed that policymakers voted unanimously to keep the bank’s quantitative easing program unchanged.
Two policymakers who had previously voted in favor of more stimulus said it remained "warranted".
Meanwhile, official data showed that the number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the U.K. fell by a seasonally adjusted 21,200 in June, better than expectations for a decline of 8,000.
The rate of unemployment held steady at 7.8% in May, in line with expectations and unchanged from April.
Elsewhere, the single currency was slightly higher against the yen, with EUR/JPY rising 0.16% to 130.63.