Investing.com - The euro was almost unchanged against the U.S. dollar on Friday, hovering close to more than two-week lows as the possibility for further easing measures by the European Central Bank weighed, while markets eyed upcoming U.S. jobs data.
EUR/USD hit 1.1116 during late Asian trade, the session low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.1129.
The pair was likely to find support at 1.1016, the low of August 19 and resistance at 1.1245, Thursday's high.
The single currency came under pressure after the ECB indicated on Thursday that it could expand its quantitative easing program amid increased downside risks to its inflation outlook.
The ECB lowered its forecast for growth and inflation, citing oil prices and slowing growth in China.
The comments came after the ECB kept its benchmark interest rate at a record-low 0.05%, in line with the consensus expectation.
Investors were looking ahead to Friday's highly-anticipated jobs report for further indications on the strength of the economy and signs of a potential rate hike by the Federal Reserve this month.
Data on Thursday showed that the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits in the U.S. in the week ending August 29 increased by 12,000 to 282,000 from the previous week’s total of 270,000.
Analysts had expected initial jobless claims to rise by 5,000 to 275,000 last week.
First-time jobless claims have held below the 300,000-level for 26 consecutive weeks, which is usually associated with a firming labor market.
The euro was higher against the pound, with EUR/GBP adding 0.12% to 0.7299.