The dollar dropped to US data on applications for benefits

On Thursday, the dollar weakened against other major currencies after data showed that the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, less than expected, while concerns over the outlook for China's economy once again contributed to the strengthening of demand for traditional valyuty- seekers, such as the yen and Swiss franc.

USD / JPY The pair dropped by 0.70% to 117.65.

US Department of Labor said the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits for the week ended January 1, fell by 10,000 to 277,000 from 287,000 the previous week, the highest since mid-July.

Analysts had expected a reduction of applications for last week by 12,000 to 275,000.

The dollar came under pressure after the Fed's December meeting minutes showed that some of the officials expressed concern that inflation may remain at a consistently low level, despite the decision to raise interest rates.

Meanwhile, the yen-haven demand increased after the PBOC set the yuan on Thursday, the official exchange rate below the adjusted rate environment.

Reduction was the largest decline since August last year, when China unexpectedly markets devalued the national currency by 2%, triggering a sharp sell-off in the markets.

A weak yuan exchange rate may contribute to an increase of Chinese exports.

The EUR / USD rose by 0.82% to 1.0866.

Earlier Thursday, data showed that the volume of industrial orders in Germany rose in November by 1.5%, higher than the expected growth of 0.1%.

Another report showed that retail sales in Germany rose by 0.2% in November, but is expected to rise by 0.5%.

Dollar grown against the pound, the pair GBP / USD lost 0.40% to a minimum of five 1.4572, and that goes against the Swiss franc, USD / CHF retreated 0.72% to 1.0001.

Australian dollar weakened, AUD / USD pair lost 1.27% to 0.6982, and paraNZD / USD retreated 0.65% to 0.6597.

On Thursday Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the number of building permits issued in November decreased by 12.7% compared with the expectations of a 3.0% drop. In October the figure rose by 3.3%, having been revised from 3.9% increase.

A separate report showed that Australia's trade deficit narrowed in November to A $ 2.906 billion from A $ 3.247 billion in October, whose figure was revised from a deficit A $ 3.305 billion.

Analysts had forecast a reduction in the trade deficit in November to A $ 3.100 billion.

Meanwhile pair USD / CAD increased by 0.40% and traded on fresh 12-year high 1.4120.

USD index, which tracks the US currency against a basket of six major rivals, was down 0.50% to 98.80.

GBPUSD at end of year is expected

GBP / USD: at the end of the year is expected to increase demand for the dollar current dynamics at the last week British currency significantly...

Dollar has appreciated at time

The dollar has appreciated at the time , although the reports did not coincide with the predictions employers was added 173 thousand. jobs in August (the...

Ruble fell in anticipation of

The ruble fell in anticipation of the Central Bank meeting and amid weak activity Exporters This afternoon, the Russian Ruble reduced trades the currency...