U.S. Dollar Higher After Inflation Data

(RTTNews) - The U.S. dollar appreciated against its most major counterparts in the European session on Thursday, as the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation rose in line with expectations in October, supporting expectations that the Federal Reserve will leave rates unchanged for some time.

Data from the Commerce Department showed that the annual rate of consumer price growth decelerated to 3.0 percent in October from 3.4 percent in September. The slowdown matched expectations.

Core consumer price growth also slowed in line with estimates, slipping to 3.5 percent in October from 3.7 percent in September. Core consumer prices exclude food and energy prices.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices were unchanged in October after climbing by 0.4 percent in September, while core consumer prices crept up by 0.2 percent after rising by 0.3 percent in the previous month.

The inflation readings, which are said to be preferred by the Federal Reserve, were included in the Commerce Department's report on personal income and spending during the month.

The report said personal income edged up by 0.2 percent in October after climbing by 0.4 percent in September. The uptick came in line with economist estimates.

Personal spending also increased in line with estimates, rising by 0.2 percent in October following a 0.7 percent advance in September.

A separate report released by the Labor Department showed a modest increase in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended November 25th.

The Labor Department said initial jobless claims inched up to 218,000, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week's revised level of 211,000.

Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 220,000 from the 209,000 originally reported for the previous week.

The greenback advanced to a 1-week high of 1.0892 against the euro, 2-day high of 148.50 against the yen and a 3-day high of 1.2603 against the pound, from yesterday's close of 1.0969, 147.23 and 1.2694, respectively. The currency is poised to find resistance around 1.04 against the euro, 153.00 against the yen and 1.23 against the pound.

The greenback climbed to a 3-day high of 0.6570 against the aussie and a 2-day high of 0.6120 against the kiwi, from Wednesday's close of 0.6616 and 0.6155, respectively. The next possible resistance for the currency is seen around 0.63 against the aussie and 0.59 against the kiwi.

In contrast, the greenback weakened to a 3-1/2-month low of 0.8711 against the franc. The greenback is seen finding support around the 0.85 level.

The greenback fell to 1.3552 against the loonie, from an early 3-day high of 1.3626. Next immediate support for the greenback is seen around the 1.32 level.