Forex: Thursday’s review

The dollar fell against most major currencies, as investors continue to be convinced that central banks around the world will support measures to stimulate the economy, which immediately led to a growing demand for higher-yielding assets. Add that little support for the U.S. currency has had a report that showed that the number of U.S. workers who filed new claims for unemployment benefits fell for the first time in four weeks, but analysts warn against too optimistic estimates due to seasonal fluctuations around the Easter holiday. Number of unemployment, the rate of layoffs measures, dropped by 42,000 to a seasonally adjusted 346,000 in the week ended April 6. This was the biggest weekly decline since November. Economists had forecast 362,000 new claims for unemployment benefits. Claims for the previous week were revised up to 388,000.

Also it was announced that Italy held an auction for 3-year government debt, being able to draw on its results of 7.169 billion euros, exceeding the planned amount of E5.5-5.7 billion average yield of the bonds was 2.29%, compared to the previous auction results 2.48%. It was the lowest level since January.

The Canadian dollar rose against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, approaching a new two-month high, as traders sold the dollar due to the ongoing rally in risky assets. The lack of negative events, investors pulled out of safe assets, currencies such as the Canadian dollar and the Australian dollar took the opportunity to make a profit, while global equity markets rallied. Data on unemployment fell for the first time in four weeks from 42 000 to 346 000 to a seasonally adjusted for the week ending April 6. In Canada, prices rose 0.2% in February, slightly ahead of expectations of 0.1%

The New Zealand dollar rose to a 20-month high on Thursday on remarks made by Finance Minister Bill English that the state budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year will involve the development of a surplus in the 2014-2015 financial year. A strong index of activity in the manufacturing sector of New Zealand presented by BNZ Capital-Business NZ, also contributed to the growth of the New Zealand currency. Despite the fact that in March, with the seasonally adjusted index fell to 53.4 against 56.0 in February, it remained above the 50 level that indicates an increase in activity. These New Zealand's housing market has also been positive. According to the report, the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), the median price of housing in March increased by 4.7% compared to February and totaled 400,000 New Zealand dollars (344,000 U.S. dollars). Compared with the same period last year the median price rose 8.1%.