The dollar fell against major currencies on Thursday amid weak U.S. economic data.
The U.S. Labor Department said on Thursday that initial claims for jobless benefits rose to 640,000 last week, higher than analysts' forecast of 635,000. The number of continuing to claim jobless benefits rose to 6.13 million, hitting a record high for the 12th straight week.
Existing-home sales declined by 3.0 percent in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.57 million units, the National Association of Realtors reported. The association also revised the sales data of February downwardly.
The euro was boosted by a report showing that business activity in the euro zone was getting better. Purchasing managers index (PMI) in the 16-nation area rose to 40.5 in March, the highest level in six months, Market Economics reported on Thursday.
The euro bought 1.3115 dollars in late New York trading compared with 1.3017 dollars it bought late Wednesday. The pound rose to 1.4694 dollars from 1.4506 dollars.
The dollar fell to 1.2247 Canadian dollars from 1.2365, and fell to 1.1531 Swiss francs from 1.1643. It fell to 97.78 Japanese yen from 98.13.
Source: Xinhua
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