The U.S. dollar retreated against most major currencies Monday as investors weighed mixed U.S. economic data.
The Chicago Business Barometer eased to 62.6 in June, from a seven-month high of 65.5 in May, but was still up sharply in the quarter and consistent with a bounce-back in the second-quarter gross domestic production, the Institute for Supply Management- Chicago said on Monday. The latest figure missed market expectations.
However, U.S. pending home sales index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, jumped 6.1 percent to 103.9 in May from 97.9 in April, the National Association of Realtors reported Monday.
The greenback has been under pressure recently as a series of data raised concerns over U.S. economic recovery. The Commerce Department reported last week that the U.S. economy contracted at an annual rate of 2.9 percent in the first quarter, the worst performance in five years.
The major focus of the week will be the U.S. nonfarm payroll report for June scheduled for release on Thursday by the Labor Department. Moreover, the European Central Bank will hold monthly monetary policy meeting on Thursday.
In late New York trading, the euro rose to 1.3695 dollars from 1.3645 dollars of the previous session, and the British pound increased to 1.7107 dollars from 1.7021 dollars. The Australian dollar climbed to 0.9427 dollars from 0.9423 dollars.
The dollar bought 101.28 Japanese yen, lower than 101.39 yen of the previous session. The greenback went down to 0.8865 Swiss francs from 0.8911 Swiss franc, and moved up to 1.0665 Canadian dollars from 1.0611 Canadian dollars..