Financial Wire

US Dollar Mixed Early Friday Ahead of Light End to Week

-- The US dollar was mixed against its major trading partners early Friday -- up versus the pound and yen, down versus the euro and Canadian dollar -- as the week ends on a light note with only the St. Louis Federal Reserve's GDP nowcast estimate for Q1 around midday and an appearance by Fed Governor Christopher Waller at 2:00 pm ET on the schedule.

Next week's calendar will include retail sales data on Tuesday, the S&P Global flash estimates on Thursday, and the nomination of Kevin Warsh to be Fed chair on Tuesday.

Fed officials will be in a quiet period ahead of the April 28-29 Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

A quick summary of foreign exchange activity heading into Friday:

EUR/USD rose to 1.1795 from 1.1782 at the Thursday US close and 1.1780 at the same time Thursday morning. The Eurozone current account surplus narrowed more than expected in February, while the Eurozone trade balance moved back into surplus in February after a deficit in the previous month, according to data released earlier Friday. The next European Central Bank meeting is scheduled for April 30.

GBP/USD fell to 1.3523 from 1.3530 at the Thursday US close and 1.3552 at the same time Thursday morning. There are no UK data on Friday's schedule, but Bank of England policy board member Huw Pill is due to speak at 8:10 am ET. The next Bank of England meeting is scheduled for April 30.

USD/JPY rose to 159.1633 from 159.1420 at the Thursday US close and 158.9144 at the same time Thursday morning. There were no Japanese data released overnight. The next Bank of Japan meeting is scheduled for April 27-28.

USD/CAD fell to 1.3679 from 1.3704 at the Thursday US close and 1.3732 at the same time Thursday morning. Canadian housing starts data for March are due to be released at 8:15 am ET, followed by data on Canadian foreign securities purchases for February at 8:30 am ET. The next Bank of Canada meeting is scheduled for April 29.

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