BRUSSELS (Alliance News) - The euro firmed against most major opponents in European deals on Tuesday as the German jobless rate declined, while manufacturing activity across the Eurozone improved in March, soothing concerns over the region's recovery. German unemployment declined for the fourth consecutive month in March, data from labor office showed today. The number of unemployed declined by 12,000 to 2.9 million in March, when it was forecast to decrease by 10,000. In February, unemployment fell by revised 15,000. The final data from Markit Economics showed today that the recovery in the Eurozone manufacturing sector extended into its ninth consecutive month in March. The final seasonally adjusted manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index dipped to a three-month low of 53.0, in line with flash estimate, from 53.2 in February The Eurozone jobless rate remained unchanged in February, data from Eurostat showed today. The unemployment rate held steady at 11.9% after the January figure was revised down from 12%. Economists had forecast the rate to remain unchanged at January's originally estimated 12%. Data showing slowdown in Eurozone consumer price inflation in March on Monday raised speculation among some analysts that the European Central Bank may ease further to combat region's crisis. The central bank meets on Thursday. The euro climbed to 142.65 against the yen, its highest level since March 13. Next key upside target level for the euro lies around the 144.00 area. An index monitoring business sentiment in Japan showed mild upside in the first quarter of 2014, the Bank of Japan revealed today in its quarterly Tankan business survey - although the outlook for the second quarter is somewhat less optimistic. The large manufacturers index came in with a six-year high score of 17, missing forecasts for 18 but up from 16 in the fourth quarter of last year. The euro advanced to 1.3802 against the greenback, compared to Monday's closing quote of 1.3769. Further gains may lead the euro to resistance at the 1.386 mark. The euro drifted up to 0.8292 against the pound, after having fallen to 0.8261 around 2:50 am ET. The next possible resistance for the euro is seen around the 0.835 zone. The survey data from Markit Economics showed today that the seasonally adjusted Markit/Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply Purchasing Manager's Index fell to 55.3 in March from 56.2 in February. The score was forecast to rise to 56.7 in March. But the euro fell to 1.2175 against the franc, off early high of 1.2190. Continuation of downtrend may take the euro to support around the 1.21 region. Looking ahead, US ISM manufacturing index for March and construction spending for February are set for release in the New York session.

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