Investing.com - The dollar was little changed against the euro and higher against the yen on Friday, as the previous session's upbeat U.S. data continued to support the greenback and investors eyed the release of additional economic reports due later in the day.
EUR/USD was steady at 1.1387.
The dollar strengthened broadly after the U.S. Department of Labor reported on Thursday that the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the week ending October 10 decreased by 7,000 to 255,000 from the previous week’s total of 262,000.
Analysts had expected jobless claims to rise by 8,000 to 270,000.
Separately, the U.S. Commerce Department said that consumer prices fell 0.2% last month, matching forecasts. Year-over-year, consumer prices were flat in September.
Core consumer prices, which exclude food and energy costs, increased by 0.2%, above expectations for a gain of 0.1%.
Investors were awaiting reports on U.S. industrial production and consumer sentiment due later in the day, for further indications on the strength of the economy.
The single currency's losses were limited however, as European Central Bank policymaker Ewald Nowotny said on Thursday that new instruments are needed to boost growth and inflation in the euro zone.
The comments fuelled expectations that the ECB could implement further stimulus measures to support growth in the euro area.
USD/JPY edged up 0.16% to trade at 119.09.
Market participants were also eyeing an upcoming speech by Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda amid growing speculation the central bank could soon step up easing measures.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was steady at 94.49.