Investing.com - The dollar slid against the other major currencies on Friday following the release of lackluster U.S. economic reports, but the greenback still ended the week higher.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, fell 0.27% to 94.68 in late trade, but was still up 0.46% for the week.
The drop in the dollar came after reports showing that U.S. industrial production fell more than expected in March and consumer sentiment deteriorated slightly this month.
The University of Michigan said the preliminary reading of its consumer sentiment index came in at 89.7 in April, down from 91.0 in March and lower than the 92.0 reading forecast by economists.
Another report showed that U.S. industrial output fell 0.6% in March, worse than the 0.1% decline economists had expected.
The reports underlined the view that the Federal Reserve is likely to stick to a cautious approach on future interest rates increases.
Lower interest rates make the dollar less attractive to yield seeking investors.
EUR/USD was up 0.17% at 1.1283, but the pair still ended the week down 1.06%.
USD/JPY was down 0.6% to 108.77 in late trade, but ended up 0.44% on the week.
The pound was also higher against the dollar, with GBP/USD up 0.37% at 1.4204.
The commodity linked dollars remained higher after data earlier in the day showing that China’s economy grew 6.7% in the first quarter, in line with economists’ forecasts.
The data eased concerns over a slowdown in the world’s second largest economy.
AUD/USD was up 0.42% at almost 10-month highs of 0.7723. The Aussie rallied more than 2% for the week after robust domestic employment data was seen as lowering the chances of rate cuts by the country’s central bank.
NZD/USD jumped 1.04% to 0.6916, bringing the week’s gains to 1.5%.
In the week ahead the economic calendar is light, with the U.S. set to release housing sector data.
The European Central Bank will hold its monetary policy meeting on Thursday and the euro zone is to release data on private sector activity on Friday.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, April 18
New Zealand is to release data on consumer price inflation.
Canada is to report on foreign securities purchases.
Tuesday, April 19
The RBA is to publish the minutes of its latest monetary policy meeting, giving investors insight into how officials view the economy and their policy options.
In the euro zone, the ZEW Institute is to report on German economic sentiment.
The U.S. is to release reports on building permits and housing starts.
RBA Governor Glenn Stevens is to speak at an event in New York.
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney is to testify before the economic affairs committee in London.
Bank of Canada head Stephen Poloz is testify before the finance committee in Ottawa.
Wednesday, April 20
The U.K. is to publish its monthly employment report.
Canada is to release data on wholesale sales.
The U.S. is to report on existing home sales.
Thursday, April 21
The U.K. is to release data on retail sales.
The ECB is to announce its monetary policy decision. The rate announcement will be followed by a post-policy meeting press conference with President Mario Draghi.
The U.S. is to release the weekly report on initial jobless claims and data on manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region.
Friday, April 22
Markit is to publish its flash purchasing managers' index for the euro zone.
Canada is to round up the week with reports on inflation and retail sales.