(RTTNews) - The dollar was mixed Thursday morning, ahead of the latest look at the jobs market and the government's final estimate of fourth quarter GDP.
The dollar improved to $1.3275 versus the euro, edging away from Tuesday's monthly low of $1.3384.
Denting recovery hopes, Eurozone economic confidence dropped marginally in March as manufacturers and construction firms turned gloomy about future prospects.
After improving in January and February, the economic sentiment index fell to 94.4 from an upwardly revised 94.5 a month ago, survey data from the European Commission revealed Thursday. The reading was below the consensus forecast of 94.5.
Unemployment in Germany declined more than expected in March. The number of unemployed declined by 18,000 from a month earlier in March to 2.84 million, while expectation were for a decline of 10,000. The outcome was better than February's, when unemployment fell by 3,000.
The dollar was steady near $1.5890 versus the sterling, having touched a 4-month low of $1.60 earlier in the week.
Early losses took the dollar to Y82.10 versus the yen, staying away from a recent 11-month peak above Y84.
On the economic front, the Labor Department is due to release its customary jobless claims report for the week ended March 24th at 8:30 am ET. Economists expect claims to edge up to 350,000 in the recent reporting week from 348,000 in the previous week.
Around the same time, the Bureau of Economic Analysis is due to release its final estimate of fourth quarter GDP. Economists expect the GDP estimate to be left unrevised at 3 percent.
The Kansas City Federal Reserve is scheduled to release the results of its manufacturing survey for February at 11 am ET.
Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Plosser will speak to the Rotary Club of Wilmington at 1 pm ET. He will also take questions from the audience and later, from the media.
Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Jeffrey Lacker is due to speak to the UNC School of Law's Banking Institute and will take questions from the audience and the media, in Charlotte. The speech is scheduled for 6:45 pm ET.
