Foreign exchange market. American session: the U.S. dollar traded higher against the most major currencies after the better-than-expected the number of initial jobless claim in the U.S.

The U.S. dollar traded higher against the most major currencies after the better-than-expected the number of initial jobless claim in the U.S. The number of initial jobless claims in the week ending October 4 declined by 1,000 to 287,000 from 288,000 in the previous week. Analysts had expected the number of initial jobless claims to increase by 3,000 to 291,000.

The greenback dropped on Wednesday due to the Fed's minutes. A tone of the Fed's minutes was dovish.

Some FOMC member expressed concern about the global slowdown and about the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar.

Most FOMC members said that interest rate hike will depend on depend on data and not a calendar date.

The euro fell against the U.S. dollar. Germany's trade surplus fell to €17.5 billion in August from €22.2 billion in July, missing expectations for a decline to €18.4 billion.

German exports dropped 5.8% in August. That was the biggest decline since January 2009.

France's trade deficit widened to €5.8 billion in August from €5.5 billion in July, missing expectations for an increase to €5.7 billion.

The British pound declined against the U.S. dollar. The Bank of England kept its interest rates unchanged at 0.5% and its asset purchase program unchanged at £375 billion.

The Canadian dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar despite the better-than-expected Canadian new housing price index. New housing price index climbed 0.3% in August, exceeding expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a flat reading in July.

The New Zealand dollar decreased against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from New Zealand.

The Australian dollar fell against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the Aussie rose against the greenback despite weak labour market data from Australia. The unemployment rate rose to 6.1% in September from 6.0% in August, beating expectations for an increase to 6.2%. August's figure was revised from 6.1%.

The number of employed people in Australia declined by 29,700 in September, missing expectations for a decrease by 29,600, after a rise by 32,100 in August. August's figure was revised down from an increase by 121,000.

The Japanese yen traded lower against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the yen increased against the greenback. Japan's core machinery orders increased 4.7% in September, exceeding expectations for a 1.1% gain, after a 3.5% rise in August.

On a yearly basis, Japan's core machinery orders fell 3.3% in September, beating expectations for a 5.1% decrease, after a 1.1% gain in August.

Japan's preliminary machine tool orders decreased to 34.8% in September from 35.5% in August.

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said in New York on Wednesday that Japan's economy will benefit if the BoJ pushes up inflation to its target of 2%. He also said that many tools for additional easing.