Investing.com -- The U.S. dollar halted an extended slump against the euro on Friday, posting slight gains in a thinly traded session limited by market closures on a three-day weekend.
EUR/USD fell below 1.12 in U.S. afternoon trading, before settling at 1.199 – down 0.23%. Although the dollar snapped a four-session losing streak against the euro, it is still down several percentage points from its level on April 21 when it peaked at 1.0658. The pair had been in a holding pattern at levels between 1.05-1.10 since early-March before the euro's rally over the last two weeks.
The majority of markets in Asia, including China were closed on Friday for the May Day holiday. Most markets were closed in Europe, as well with the exception of London.
Currency traders hoping for an indication on the timing of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve earlier in the week, received few clues from a guarded Federal Open Market Committee in an ambiguous rate statement. While a relatively dovish Fed removed all calendar references on a potential rate hike from its monetary policy, it still has not ruled out June for a lift-off date. On Friday, Federal Reserve of Cleveland president Loretta Mester said June is still "on the table" for a rate increase.
U.S. Consumer Sentiment rose slightly for April, as the University of Michigan's Consumer Survey Index gained several points to 95.9, up from a reading of 93.0 in March. The current reading was unchanged from the preliminary reading for the month, but below analysts' forecasts of 96.0. The survey's sub index on current condition increased modestly to 107, up from a prior reading of 105.
Construction spending nationwide, however, dipped by 0.6% in March – below expectations of a 0.4% gain. Markit's PMI manufacturing flash index also fell to 54.1, down from 55.7 in March. The index was pushed down by weakness in U.S. exports, which contracted for the first time since November. The Institute for Supply Management, meanwhile, said its national factory activity index was at 51.5 for April, remaining unchanged from a month earlier.
Elsewhere, negotiations regarding Greece's sovereign debt crisis between prime minister Alexis Tsipras and a group of creditors known as the Brussels Group are scheduled to last throughout the weekend. On Wednesday, Moody's cut Greece's government bond rating from Caa1 to Caa2, amid concerns that the troubled nation will not strike a deal in time with its troika of creditors – the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and the European Commission.
Yields on 10-year Greek bonds ended the week at 10.23%, while yields on 10-year German bunds closed at 0.37%. In March, the bid/offer spread on German bunds increased to six basis points – the widest level in three years. Meanwhile, yields on U.S. 10-Year Treasuries gained 0.068 to 2.112%.