Investing.com - The euro zone's M3 money supply grew less than expected in March, while private loans declined for the 23rd consecutive month, official data showed on Tuesday.
In a report, the European Central Bank said M3 money supply in the single currency bloc rose at annualized rate of 1.1% last month, below forecasts for a 1.4% gain. M3 money supply in the euro zone rose 1.3% in the preceding month.
Loans to private sector declined at a pace of 2.2% annually in March, compared to expectations for a 2.1% drop, after falling 2.2% in February.
Following the release of the data, the euro held on to gains against the U.S. dollar, with EUR/USD rising 0.09% to trade at 1.3862.
Meanwhile, European stock markets were mixed. The Euro Stoxx 50 advanced 0.45%, France’s CAC 40 dipped 0.1%, Germany's DAX picked up 0.65%, while London’s FTSE 100 tacked on 0.3%.