MW: Dollar lower as durable goods data tops forecasts
The U.S. dollar stayed down Friday versus the euro and yen after a government report said orders for durable goods fell 0.8% in March, less than analyst expected. The dollar index , a measure of the U.S. unit against a trade-weighted basket of currencies, traded at 84.996, down from 85.353 in North American trade late Thursday. The euro traded at $1.3217 versus the dollar, up from $1.3145 late Thursday. The U.S. dollar dropped versus the Japanese currency to trade at 97.08 yen, down from 98.05 yen. The report also revised February's increase in orders lower. Later, a report is expected to show sales of new home sales slowed slightly last month. The dollar had been lower before the data as officials from the Group of Seven nations met in Washington.
