Foreign exchange market. American session: the U.S. dollar traded mixed to lower against the most major currencies after the weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data

The U.S. dollar traded mixed to lower against the most major currencies after the weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data. The NAHB housing market index declined to 53 in March from 55 in February. It was the third consecutive decline. Analysts had expected the index to rise at 57.

The NAHB Chairman, Tom Woods, said that the NAHB expects the index to improve in the spring buying season.

The U.S. industrial production increased 0.1% in February, missing expectations for a 0.3% rise, after a 0.3% drop in January. January's figure was revised down from a 0.2% increase.

The increase was driven by higher output of utilities.

The NY Fed Empire State manufacturing index declined to 6.90 in March from 7.78 in February, missing expectations for a rise to 8.1. The decline was driven by a drop in new orders. The new orders index plunged to -2.39 in March from 1.22 in February. It was the lowest level since November 2013.

The euro traded higher against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from the Eurozone. Concerns over Greece's further bailout policy and quantitative easing by the European Central Bank (ECB) still weighed on the euro.

The European Central Bank President Mario Draghi is scheduled to speak at 18:45 GMT0.

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

The Canadian dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities purchases in Canada rose by C$5.73 billion in January, exceeding expectations for a gain by C$3.74 billion, after a drop by C$13.54 billion in December. December's figure was revised up from a decline by C$13.55 billion.

Canada's international transactions were driven by lower oil prices, stock prices and a lower Canadian dollar.

The Swiss franc traded lower against the U.S. dollar. Switzerland's producer and import prices declined 1.4% in February, missing expectations for a 0.4% increase, after a 0.6% fall in January. That was the biggest decline since November 2008.

On a yearly basis, producer and import prices decreased 3.6% in February, after a 2.7% drop in January. That was the lowest level since October 2009.

The decline was driven by lower oil prices and a stronger Swiss franc.

Retail sales in Switzerland decreased at an annual rate of 0.3% in January, missing expectations for a 2.6% rise, after a 1.9% rise in December. December's figure was revised down from a 2.2% increase.

The New Zealand dollar traded higher against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the kiwi rose against the greenback due to a weaker U.S. currency. There were released no major economic reports from New Zealand.

The Australian dollar traded higher against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the Aussie increased against the greenback after new motor vehicle sales data for Australia. Australia's new motor vehicle sales increased 2.9% in February, after a 1.9% drop in January. January's figure was revised down from a 1.5% decrease.

The Japanese yen traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the yen traded higher against the greenback in the absence of any major economic reports from Japan.