Investing.com - The U.S. dollar was spotted higher against most of its major rivals during Thursday’s Asian session following an array of economic news releases, including Australia’s employment update.
In Asian trading Thursday, EUR/USD fell 0.06% to 1.3514. Traders are awaiting news out of another European Central Bank meeting later today. An interest rate cut is not expected.
On Wednesday, German government data revealed that the country's factory orders rose 0.8% in December, missing expectations for a 0.9% gain though much better than November's 1.8% contraction. Germany is the euro zone’s largest economy.
Meanwhile, GBP/USD also traded lower by 0.06% to 1.5650 while USD/CHF inched lower by 0.01% to 0.9103.
USD/JPY slipped by 0.12% to 93.53 after Japan reported stronger-than-expected December machinery orders. Japan’s core machinery orders for December climbed 2.8%, easily topping the consensus estimate calling for an increase of 0.7%. That comes on the heels of a 3.9% increase in November and is good for the third consecutive month of higher machinery orders.
Elsewhere, AUD/USD fell 0.07% to 1.0313 following the jobs update out of Australia. Earlier today, Australia’s statistics bureau said the number of employed Australians rose by 10,400 in January following a December decrease of 3,800. The December number was revised for the better. Analysts expected the January reading to show an increase of 6,000.
Full-time jobs fell by 9,800 while part-time jobs jumped by 20,200.
NZD/USD tumbled 0.36% to 0.8367 after Statistics New Zealand said employment there fell by 1%, or 23,000 jobs, in the fourth quarter. New Zealand’s unemployment rate fell to 6.9% from 7.3% due to fewer folks seeking employment.
Analysts expected the employment rate there to rise by 0.4% during the fourth quarter. The unemployment rate of 6.9% is New Zealand’s lowest in eight years.
The U.S. Dollar Index added 0.02% to 79.83.
In Asian trading Thursday, EUR/USD fell 0.06% to 1.3514. Traders are awaiting news out of another European Central Bank meeting later today. An interest rate cut is not expected.
On Wednesday, German government data revealed that the country's factory orders rose 0.8% in December, missing expectations for a 0.9% gain though much better than November's 1.8% contraction. Germany is the euro zone’s largest economy.
Meanwhile, GBP/USD also traded lower by 0.06% to 1.5650 while USD/CHF inched lower by 0.01% to 0.9103.
USD/JPY slipped by 0.12% to 93.53 after Japan reported stronger-than-expected December machinery orders. Japan’s core machinery orders for December climbed 2.8%, easily topping the consensus estimate calling for an increase of 0.7%. That comes on the heels of a 3.9% increase in November and is good for the third consecutive month of higher machinery orders.
Elsewhere, AUD/USD fell 0.07% to 1.0313 following the jobs update out of Australia. Earlier today, Australia’s statistics bureau said the number of employed Australians rose by 10,400 in January following a December decrease of 3,800. The December number was revised for the better. Analysts expected the January reading to show an increase of 6,000.
Full-time jobs fell by 9,800 while part-time jobs jumped by 20,200.
NZD/USD tumbled 0.36% to 0.8367 after Statistics New Zealand said employment there fell by 1%, or 23,000 jobs, in the fourth quarter. New Zealand’s unemployment rate fell to 6.9% from 7.3% due to fewer folks seeking employment.
Analysts expected the employment rate there to rise by 0.4% during the fourth quarter. The unemployment rate of 6.9% is New Zealand’s lowest in eight years.
The U.S. Dollar Index added 0.02% to 79.83.