Foreign exchange market. American session: the U.S. dollar traded lower against the most major currencies despite the better-than-expected U.S. labour market data

The U.S. dollar traded lower against the most major currencies despite the better-than-expected U.S. labour market data. The U.S. economy added 252,000 jobs in December, exceeding expectations for a rise of 241,000 jobs, after a gain of 353,000 jobs in November. November's figure was revised up from a rise of 321,000 jobs.

The jobless rate declined to the lowest level since June 2008.

The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 5.6% in December from 5.8% in November, exceeding expectations for a decline to 5.7%.

Average hourly earnings decreased 0.2% in December, missing forecasts of a 0.2% gain, after a 0.2% increase in November. November's figure revised down from a 0.4% rise.

Wholesale inventories in the U.S. rose 0.8% in November, exceeding expectations for a 0.4% increase, after a 0.6% gain in October. October's figure was revised up from a 0.4% rise.

That was the biggest increase since April 2014.

The euro traded slightly higher against the U.S. dollar despite the mostly weak economic data from the Eurozone. German industrial production declined 0.1% in November, missing forecasts of a 0.4% rise, after a 0.6% gain in October. October's figure was revised up from a 0.2% increase.

Germany's trade surplus decreased to €17.7 billion in November from €20.8 billion in October, missing expectations for a decline to €19.6 billion. October's figure was revised up from a surplus of €20.6 billion.

France's trade deficit narrowed to €3.2 billion in November from €4.6 billion in October, beating expectations for a decline to a deficit of €4.5 billion.

Industrial production in France declined 0.3% in November, missing expectations for a 0.4% gain, after a 0.7% drop in October. October's figure was revised up from a 0.8% decline.

Political uncertainty in Greece still weighed on the euro.

The British pound traded higher against the U.S. dollar. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research's (NIESR) estimate of gross domestic product estimate declined to 0.6% for the fourth quarter from 0.7% in the third quarter.

Manufacturing production in the U.K. rose 0.7% in November, exceeding expectations for a 0.3% rise, after a 0.7% drop in October.

On a yearly basis, manufacturing production in the U.K. increased 2.7% in November, beating expectations for a 2.3% gain, after a 1.7% rise in October.

Industrial production in the U.K. decreased 0.1% in November, missing forecasts of a 0.2% rise, after a 0.3% decline in October. October's figure was revised down from a 0.1% decrease.

The decline was driven by falling oil and gas prices and maintenance shutdowns at two large fields in the North Sea.

On a yearly basis, industrial production in the U.K. rose 1.1% in November, missing expectations for a 1.6% rise, after a 1.0% gain in October. October's figure was revised down from a 1.1% gain.

The U.K. trade deficit fell to £8.8 billion in November from £9.8 billion in October, beating expectations for a deficit of £9.5 billion. October's figure was revised down from a deficit of £9.6 billion.

The Canadian dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar after the weaker-than-expected Canadian economic data. Canada's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.6% in December, in line with expectations.

The number of employed people decreased by 4,300 in December, missing expectations for a gain of 10,300, after a 10,700 decline in November.

Building permits in Canada plunged 13.8% in November, missing expectations for a 0.8% gain, after a 2.1% rise in October. October's figure was revised up from a 0.7% increase.

Housing starts in Canada increased to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 180,600 units in December from a revised reading of 193,200 units in November. November's figure revised down from 195,600 units. Analysts had expected an increase to 191,000 units.

The Swiss franc traded higher against the U.S. dollar. Switzerland's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.2% in December. November's figure was revised down from 3.1%. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to fall to 3.1%.

Switzerland's consumer price index dropped 0.5% in December, missing expectations for a 0.3% fall, after a flat reading in November.

On a yearly basis, Switzerland's consumer price index declined 0.3% in December, missing expectations for a 0.1% drop, after a 0.1% decrease in November.

The New Zealand dollar increased against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the kiwi traded higher against the greenback after the solid building permits data from New Zealand. Building permits in New Zealand rose 10.0% in November, after 9.8% in October. October's figure was revised up from a 8.8% gain.

The Australian dollar increased against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the Aussie traded slightly higher against the greenback despite the weaker-than-expected retail sales data from Australia. Retail sales in Australia rose 0.1% in November, missing expectations for a 0.3% increase, after a 0.4% gain in October.

The Aussie was supported by Chinese consumer inflation data. Chinese consumer price index 1.5% in December, in line with expectations, after a 1.4% in November.

The Japanese yen traded higher against the U.S. dollar. . In the overnight trading session, the yen traded higher against the greenback. Japan's leading economic index decreased to 103.8 in November from 104.5 in October, missing expectations for a rise to 104.9. That was the lowest score since January 2013. October's figure was revised up from 104.0.

Japan's coincident index declined to 108.9 in November from 109.9 in October.