Investing.com - The U.S. dollar was remained broadly lower against the other major currencies on Thursday, after official data showed that the number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week rose slightly.
During European afternoon trade, the dollar was trading close to a seven-week low against the euro, with EUR/USD up 0.20% to 1.2552.
The U.S. Department of Labor said the number of people filing for initial jobless benefits last week rose by 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 372,000, compared to expectations for a decline of 3,000 to 365,000.
The previous week’s figure was revised up to 368,000 from a previously reported 366,000.
The data came after Wednesday’s minutes of the Federal Reserve’s August meeting showed that many policymakers think additional easing may be warranted "fairly soon" unless there is evidence of a "substantial and sustainable" strengthening in the economic recovery.
Concerns over prospects for a third round of stimulus from the U.S. central bank overshadowed weak economic data out of the euro zone and China.
A report earlier showed that manufacturing activity in the euro zone rose more-than-expected in August, but remained in contraction territory for the 12th consecutive month, while service sector activity slumped to a two-month low.
A separate report showed that manufacturing activity in China slumped to a nine-month low in August, adding to concerns over a slowdown in the world’s second largest economy.
The greenback was fractionally higher against the pound, with GBP/USD dipping 0.05% to 1.5871.
Elsewhere, the greenback was little changed against the yen, with USD/JPY inching up 0.03% to 78.60, but was lower against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF sliding 0.22% to 0.9564.
Switzerland posted a larger-than-expected trade surplus of CHF2.91 billion in July official data showed earlier, beating expectations for a surplus of CHF1.44 billion.
The greenback was mixed against its Canadian, Australian and New Zealand counterparts, with USD/CAD inching up 0.02% to 0.9914, AUD/USD down 0.38% to 1.0465 and NZD/USD rising 0.21% to trade at 0.8157.
The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was down 0.18% to 81.42.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to release official data on new home sales.
During European afternoon trade, the dollar was trading close to a seven-week low against the euro, with EUR/USD up 0.20% to 1.2552.
The U.S. Department of Labor said the number of people filing for initial jobless benefits last week rose by 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 372,000, compared to expectations for a decline of 3,000 to 365,000.
The previous week’s figure was revised up to 368,000 from a previously reported 366,000.
The data came after Wednesday’s minutes of the Federal Reserve’s August meeting showed that many policymakers think additional easing may be warranted "fairly soon" unless there is evidence of a "substantial and sustainable" strengthening in the economic recovery.
Concerns over prospects for a third round of stimulus from the U.S. central bank overshadowed weak economic data out of the euro zone and China.
A report earlier showed that manufacturing activity in the euro zone rose more-than-expected in August, but remained in contraction territory for the 12th consecutive month, while service sector activity slumped to a two-month low.
A separate report showed that manufacturing activity in China slumped to a nine-month low in August, adding to concerns over a slowdown in the world’s second largest economy.
The greenback was fractionally higher against the pound, with GBP/USD dipping 0.05% to 1.5871.
Elsewhere, the greenback was little changed against the yen, with USD/JPY inching up 0.03% to 78.60, but was lower against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF sliding 0.22% to 0.9564.
Switzerland posted a larger-than-expected trade surplus of CHF2.91 billion in July official data showed earlier, beating expectations for a surplus of CHF1.44 billion.
The greenback was mixed against its Canadian, Australian and New Zealand counterparts, with USD/CAD inching up 0.02% to 0.9914, AUD/USD down 0.38% to 1.0465 and NZD/USD rising 0.21% to trade at 0.8157.
The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was down 0.18% to 81.42.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to release official data on new home sales.