Investing.com - U.S. new home sales fell less than expected in August, one month after reaching the highest level since October 2007, official data showed on Monday.
The U.S. Commerce Department said new home sales declined by 7.6% to a seasonally adjusted 609,000 units last month, compared to expectations for a drop of 8.8% to 600,000.
New home sales in July were revised up to 659,000 units from a previously reported 654,000 units.
EUR/USD was trading at 1.1255 from around 1.1252 ahead of the release of the data, GBP/USD was at 1.2951 from 1.2947 earlier, while USD/JPY was at 100.37 from 100.36 earlier.
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was at 95.18, compared to 95.20 ahead of the report.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets were lower after the open. The Dow 30 fell 0.75%, the S&P 500 slumped 0.65%, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.75%.
Elsewhere, in the commodities market, gold futures traded at $1,344.60 a troy ounce, compared to $1,345.15 ahead of the data, while crude oil traded at $45.29 a barrel from around $45.33 earlier.