Foreign exchange market. American session: the U.S. dollar traded higher against the most major currencies after the release of the U.S. economic data

The U.S. dollar traded higher against the most major currencies after the release of the U.S. economic data. The initial jobless claims in the U.S. climbed by 28,000 to 326,000, from 298,000 in the previous week. Analysts had expected an increase of jobless claims by 12,000 to 310,000.

U.S. flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to 56.2 in May, from 55.4 in April. Analysts had forecasted a gain to 55.6.

Sales of existing homes in the U.S. climbed to 1.3% in April to an annual rate of 4.65 million units, missing expectations of a 2.2% gain to 4.68 million. That was the first increase in 2014.

The euro decreased against the U.S. dollar. Eurozone’s flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index fell to 52.5 in May, from 53.4 in April. That was the slowest growth in six months. Analysts had expected a decrease to 53.2.

Eurozone’s flash services purchasing managers' index climbed to 53.5 in May, from 53.1 in April. That was the fastest pace in almost three years. Analysts had forecasted a decrease to 53.0.

France's flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index decreased to 49.3 in May, from 51.2 in April. Analysts had expected a decline to 51.1.

France's flash services purchasing managers' index decreased to 49.2 in May, from 50.4 in April. Analysts had forecasted a fall to 50.3.

Germany's manufacturing purchasing managers' index I slid to 52.9 in May, from 54.1 in April. Analysts had expected a decline to 54.0.

Germany's services purchasing managers' index gained to 56.4 in May, from 54.7 in April. Analysts had forecasted a rise to 54.8.

The British pound declined against the U.S. dollar after the U.K. gross domestic product. U.K. gross domestic product increased 0.8% in the first quarter (Q4 2013: +0.8%). Analysts had expected this figure.

On a yearly basis, U.K. gross domestic product climbed 3.1% in the first quarter (Q4 2013: +3.1%). Analysts had expected this growth.

U.K. business investment rose by 2.7% in the first quarter, from a 2.4% gain in the previous quarter. That was the highest pace since the first quarter of 2013.

On a yearly basis, U.K. business investment climbed 8.7% in the first quarter, unchanged from the previous quarter figure.

The Confederation of British Industry released the British factory orders. The Confederation of British Industry's (CBI) total order book balance was 0 in May, up from -1 in April. Analysts had expected +4.

The Canadian dollar rose against the U.S. dollar. The retail sales in Canada decreased 0.1% in March, from a 0.5% rise in February. Analysts had expected a 0.2% gain.

The Canadian retail sales excluding automobile sales climbed 0.1% in March, from a 0.6% increase in February. Analysts had forecasted a 0.5% rise.

The New Zealand dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand reported its annual inflation expectations increased to 2.4% in the first quarter, from 2.3% in the previous quarter.

The kiwi was also supported by the better-than-expected Chinese economic data. China’s HSBC manufacturing index (preliminary) climbed to 49.7 in May, up from 48.1 in April. Analysts had expected an increase to 48.4.

The Australian dollar increased against the U.S. dollar after the release of inflation expectations in Australia and Chinese manufacturing data, but later lost its gains. The inflation expectation for the next 12 months rose to 4.4% in April, from 4.2% in March. March’s figure was revised up from +2.4%.