Investing.com - The U.S. dollar traded higher against most of its major rivals during Friday’s Asian session even as some of the region’s equity bourses rebounded following Thursday’s drubbing.
In Asian trading Friday, EUR/USD fell 0.14% to 1.2917 after euro zone manufacturing purchasing managers’ index rose to 47.8 in May from a final reading of 46.7 in April, better than expectations for a reading of 47.0, though still below the 50 level that separates growth from contraction.
Germany’s manufacturing PMI rose to a two-month high 49.0 in May from 48.1 in April, beating expectations for a 48.5 reading. The eurozone services PMI rose to 47.5 in May from 47.0 in April, above expectations for a reading of 47.2.
GBP/USD fell 0.16% to 1.5085 after data showed that the U.K. economy expanded by 0.3% in the first quarter and expanded 0.6% from the same period year earlier, unchanged from preliminary estimates and both figures in line with expectations, which gave the pound support.
USD/JPY jumped 0.39% to 102.42 a day after Japanese equities slid to their worst loss in nearly two years. The yen rallied against the greenback Thursday amid ongoing speculation the Federal Reserve could end its quantitative easing program in the near-term.
USD/CHF rose 0.18% to 0.9707 while USD/CAD advanced 0.23% to 1.0329. In U.S. economic news, the U.S. Labor Department said initial claims for jobless benefits ell by 23,000 to 340,000 last week. Economists expected a reading of 345,000 new claims. The less volatile four-week moving average for May fell to 339,500 from 362,000.
The Commerce Department said new home sales rose 2.3% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 454,000 units. The median sales price rose 8.3%.
AUD/NZD fell 0.71% to 0.9681 while NZD/USD dropped 0.60% to 0.8087 after Statistics New Zealand reported an April surplus of NZD157 million. April months have been in surplus since 2009, according to a statement.
The U.S. Dollar Index jumped 0.22% to 83.98.
In Asian trading Friday, EUR/USD fell 0.14% to 1.2917 after euro zone manufacturing purchasing managers’ index rose to 47.8 in May from a final reading of 46.7 in April, better than expectations for a reading of 47.0, though still below the 50 level that separates growth from contraction.
Germany’s manufacturing PMI rose to a two-month high 49.0 in May from 48.1 in April, beating expectations for a 48.5 reading. The eurozone services PMI rose to 47.5 in May from 47.0 in April, above expectations for a reading of 47.2.
GBP/USD fell 0.16% to 1.5085 after data showed that the U.K. economy expanded by 0.3% in the first quarter and expanded 0.6% from the same period year earlier, unchanged from preliminary estimates and both figures in line with expectations, which gave the pound support.
USD/JPY jumped 0.39% to 102.42 a day after Japanese equities slid to their worst loss in nearly two years. The yen rallied against the greenback Thursday amid ongoing speculation the Federal Reserve could end its quantitative easing program in the near-term.
USD/CHF rose 0.18% to 0.9707 while USD/CAD advanced 0.23% to 1.0329. In U.S. economic news, the U.S. Labor Department said initial claims for jobless benefits ell by 23,000 to 340,000 last week. Economists expected a reading of 345,000 new claims. The less volatile four-week moving average for May fell to 339,500 from 362,000.
The Commerce Department said new home sales rose 2.3% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 454,000 units. The median sales price rose 8.3%.
AUD/NZD fell 0.71% to 0.9681 while NZD/USD dropped 0.60% to 0.8087 after Statistics New Zealand reported an April surplus of NZD157 million. April months have been in surplus since 2009, according to a statement.
The U.S. Dollar Index jumped 0.22% to 83.98.