Forex - Dollar remains broadly lower after mixed U.S. jobs, PPI data

Forex Pros – The U.S. dollar was broadly lower against the other major currencies on Thursday, following the release of mixed U.S. data on initial jobless claims and inflation.

During European afternoon trade, the greenback was down against the euro, with EUR/USD surging 0.78% to hit 1.4070.

The greenback was also down against the pound and the Swiss franc, with GBP/USD advancing 0.53% to hit 1.5983 and USD/CHF falling 0.51% to hit 0.9533.

The greenback was also down against the yen, with USD/JPY shedding 0.35% to hit 81.52. Earlier in the day, Japanese Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda refused to comment on the yen's sharp appreciation. On Tuesday, Minister Noda said his government would take "bold action, which includes intervention, if needed.”

The greenback was also down against its Australian counterpart but rose against its Canadian and New Zealand cousins, with AUD/USD climbing 0.26% to hit 0.9930 while CAD/USD gained 0.07% to hit 1.0041 and NZD/USD lost 0.38% to hit 0.7575.

Earlier in the day, official data official data showed that Canada’s trade deficit contracted more-than-expected in August while a separate report showed that New Zealand’s retail sales remained unexpectedly flat in August.

The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was down 0.71%.

Earlier Thursday, official data showed that while U.S. initial jobless claims rose more-than-expected in the week ending October 9, a separate report said that producer price inflation rose-more-than expected in August.