The US dollar fell against major world currencies today, after data showed that applications for unemployment benefits in the US rose unexpectedly last week and that new home sales in the country fell more than expected in March.
The dollar came under pressure after the US Department of Labor has informed that the number of individuals who filed new application for unemployment benefits in the week ending April 18 increased by 1,000 to 295,000, the total of the previous week 294,000.
Analysts had expected new claims for unemployment benefits fell by 4,000 to 290,000 last week.
Data also showed that new homes sales in the US fell 11.4% last month to 481,000 units, after a revised increase of 5.6% to 541,000 units in February. Analysts had expected the new home sales fell 5.3% to 513,000 units in March.
The dollar index, which measures the strength of the US dollar against a basket of six other major currencies, fell 0.60% to 97.66.
EUR / USD rose 0.79% to 1.0809.
The single currency showed little reaction to a market research group Markit report saying that the rate of compound purchasing managers in the euro zone, which includes the industrial and service sector activity, fell to 53.5 this month, 54.0 in March, against expectations for an increase of 54.4.
The preliminary PMI index for the German manufacturing sector fell to 54.2 this month from 55.4 in March, while the PMI for the services sector fell to 54.4 in April from a reading of 55.4 in the previous month.
The Markit also said the preliminary PMI index for the industrial sector of France fell to 48.4 this month from 48.8 in March, while the PMI for the services sector fell to 50.8 in April, a 52.4 reading in the previous month.
Earlier in the day, another report showed that the unemployment rate in Spain rose to 23.8% in the first quarter, 23.7% in the December quarter. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate fell to 23.6% last quarter.
The pound sterling showed high, with GBP / USD advancing 0.09% to 1.5048.
Earlier in the day, the Office for National Statistics said sales in the North American retail fell 0.5% last month, compared with expectations for an increase of 0.4%. Year-on-year, UK retail sales rose 4.2% in March, disappointing expectations for a gain of 5.4%.
Gross retail sales, excluding cars and fuel, rose 0.2% last month, less than expected increase of 0.4%.
Elsewhere, the US dollar fell against the yen and the Swiss franc, with USD / JPY retreating 0.12%, to 119.77, and USD / CHF falling 1.66% to 0.9552.
The Australian dollar reduced its losses, with AUD / USD advancing 0.19% to 0.7766, while NZD / USD lost 1.12% to 0.7580.
Earlier in the day, the currencies linked to exports were weaker after previous data showed that the flash rate of China's HSBC purchasing managers (LONDON: HSBA) for the industrial sector fell to 49.2 in April from a reading end of 49.6 in March, showing a decline for the third consecutive month.
Meanwhile, USD / CAD fell 0.66% to 1.2161