Investing.com - The dollar slipped lower against the other major currencies on Thursday, after the Federal Reserve’s latest policy statement disappointed expectations for hints on future rate hikes and as investors eyed upcoming data on U.S. durable goods orders, jobless claims and home sales.
USD/JPY edged up 0.19% to 118.89.
The Fed left interest rates on hold at the conclusion of its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday, after raising interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade in December.
The U.S. economy is still on track for moderate growth and a stronger labor market even with "gradual" rate increases, the bank said without giving any indications on the pace of future rate hikes.
Policymakers acknowledged heightened uncertainty over the global economic outlook after recent turmoil in financial markets.
Investors were turning their attention to the conclusion of the of the Bank of Japan meeting on Friday.
Most analysts are expecting no changes to monetary policy, but recent weakness in economic reports, as well as comments by BoJ officials have fueled expectations for more easing this year.
EUR/USD held steady at 1.0894.
Elsewhere, the dollar was lower against the pound, with GBP/USD up 0.67% at 1.4330 and was steady against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF at 1.0148.
Sterling found support after the U.K. Office for National Statistics said fourth quarter gross domestic product grew 0.5%, matching forecasts after growth of 0.4% in the three months to September.
The U.K. economy grew at an annual rate of 1.9% in the three months to December, slowing from 2.1% in the third quarter and the smallest increase since early 2013.
The commodity-related Canadian dollar was boosted since oil prices remained around $32 a barrel on Tuesday, after falling to 12-year lows below $27 a barrel last week. USD/CAD was down 0.20% at 1.4070.
The Australian and New Zealand dollars were stronger, with AUD/USD up 0.75% at 0.7079 and with NZD/USD climbing 0.55% to trade at 0.6465.
Earlier Thursday, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand held its benchmark interest rate at 2.50%, in a widely expected move. However, RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler indicated that further rate cuts may be needed.
At the same time, Statistics New Zealand reported that the trade deficit narrowed to NZ$53 million in December from a revised deficit of NZ$799 million in November. Analysts had expected the trade deficit to narrow to NZ$131 million last month.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was down 0.08% at 98.95.