Investing.com - The euro was steady against the U.S. dollar on Friday, still within close range of a one-month high as investors turned their attention to the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week for more indications on the future of the bank's stimulus program.
EUR/USD hit 1.3742 during late Asian trade, the session low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.3753, easing 0.01%.
The pair was likely to find support at 1.3695, the low of December 9 and resistance at 1.3811, the high of December 11 and a more than one-month high.
The greenback gained ground on Thursday after the U.S. Commerce Department said U.S. retail sales rose 0.7% in November, above expectations for a 0.6% increase. Core retail sales rose 0.4%, above forecasts for a 0.2% increase.
Separately, the Department of Labor said the number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week rose to a two month high of 368,000, compared to expectations for an increase to 320,000 from the previous week’s revised total of 300,000.
The data did little to alter expectations that the Fed could begin tapering its USD85 billion a month asset purchase program at its policy meeting scheduled for December 17 - 18.
Meanwhile, demand for the euro remained mildy supported as expectations for further monetary easing by the European Central Bank dimmed after the bank left monetary policy unchanged at its meeting this month, following a surprise rate cut in November.
The euro was little changed against the pound, with EUR/GBP inching 0.03% higher to 0.8415.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to release data on producer price inflation.
EUR/USD hit 1.3742 during late Asian trade, the session low; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.3753, easing 0.01%.
The pair was likely to find support at 1.3695, the low of December 9 and resistance at 1.3811, the high of December 11 and a more than one-month high.
The greenback gained ground on Thursday after the U.S. Commerce Department said U.S. retail sales rose 0.7% in November, above expectations for a 0.6% increase. Core retail sales rose 0.4%, above forecasts for a 0.2% increase.
Separately, the Department of Labor said the number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week rose to a two month high of 368,000, compared to expectations for an increase to 320,000 from the previous week’s revised total of 300,000.
The data did little to alter expectations that the Fed could begin tapering its USD85 billion a month asset purchase program at its policy meeting scheduled for December 17 - 18.
Meanwhile, demand for the euro remained mildy supported as expectations for further monetary easing by the European Central Bank dimmed after the bank left monetary policy unchanged at its meeting this month, following a surprise rate cut in November.
The euro was little changed against the pound, with EUR/GBP inching 0.03% higher to 0.8415.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to release data on producer price inflation.