Foreign exchange market. American session: the U.S. dollar traded mixed to higher against the most major currencies in the absence of any major U.S. economic reports

The U.S. dollar traded mixed to higher against the most major currencies in the absence of any major U.S. economic reports on Monday.

The greenback remained supported by Friday's labour market data. The U.S. economy added 295,000 jobs in February, exceeding expectations for a rise of 241,000 jobs, after a gain of 239,000 jobs in January. J

The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 5.5% in February from 5.7% in January, beating forecast of a decline to 5.6%. That was lowest level since May 2008.

Investors expect that the Fed might start to raise its interest rate sooner than expected.

The euro traded lower against the U.S. dollar. The Sentix investor confidence index for the Eurozone rose to 18.6 in March from 12.4 in February, exceeding expectations for an increase to 15.0.That was the highest level since August 2007.

The index benefited from a weaker euro, lower oil prices and quantitative easing.

Germany's trade surplus narrowed to €19.7 billion in January from €21.6 billion in December, missing expectations for a rise to €22.3 billion. December's figure was revised down from a surplus of €21.8 billion.

People with knowledge of the transactions said that the European Central Bank (ECB) has purchased German, Italia, French and Belgian bonds.

A spokesman for the ECB declined to comment.

The British pound traded mixed against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports in the U.K.

The Canadian dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. Housing starts in Canada decreased to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 156,276 units in February from a revised reading of 187,025 units in January. January's figure revised down from 187,276 units. Analysts had expected an increase to 191,000 units.

The New Zealand dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the kiwi traded lower against the greenback in the absence of any major economic reports from New Zealand.

The Australian dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the Aussie traded lower against the greenback. Job advertisements in Australia increased 0.9% in February, after a 1.2% rise in January. January's figure was revised down from a 1.3% gain.

The Japanese yen traded lower against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the yen traded mixed against the greenback after the mixed economic data from Japan. Japan's gross domestic product (GDP) was revised down to an annual increase of 1.5% in the fourth quarter from the preliminary estimate of a 2.2% rise.

Japan's adjusted current account surplus rose to 1,058.1 billion yen in January from 850.0 billion yen in December.

Japan's economy watchers' current conditions index climbed to 50.1 in February from 45.6 in January, exceeding expectations for an increase to 46.7.

Japan's economy watchers' future conditions index rose to 53.2 in February from 50.0 in January.