Foreign exchange market. American session: the Canadian dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar after the mixed Canadian economic data

The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies after the weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data. Sales of existing homes climbed 2.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million in December from 4.92 million in November. November's figure was revised down from 4.93 million units. Analysts had expected an increase to 5.08 million units.

The U.S. preliminary manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 53.7 in January from 53.9 in December, missing expectations for a rise to 54.1. The decline was driven by slower new business growth.

The Conference Board's leading economic index for the U.S. climbed by 0.5% in December, in line with expectations, after a 0.4% increase in November. November's figure was revised down from a 0.6% gain.

The euro traded higher against the U.S. dollar. The European Central Bank's decision to expand its asset purchase programme to 60 billion euro a month starting from March 2015 until September 2016 still weighed on the euro.

Eurozone's preliminary manufacturing PMI increased to 51.0 in January from 50.6 in November, in line with expectations.

Eurozone's preliminary services PMI rose to 52.3 in January from 51.6 in December. Analysts had expected the index to climb to 52.1.

Germany's preliminary manufacturing PMI decreased to 51.0 in January from 51.2 in December, missing forecasts of an increase to 51.8.

Germany's preliminary services PMI increased to 52.7 in January from 52.1 in December, beating expectations for a gain to 52.6.

France's preliminary manufacturing PMI rose to 49.5 in January from 47.5 in December, exceeding forecasts of a rise to 48.1.

France's preliminary services PMI fell to 49.5 in January from 50.6 in December, missing expectations for a gain to 50.9.

The British pound traded higher against the U.S. dollar. Retail sales in the U.K. increased 0.4% in December, exceeding expectations for a 0.6% drop, after a 1.6% gain in November.

The increase was driven by lower petrol prices and higher demand in food.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. climbed 4.3% in December, beating expectations for a 3.0% rise, after a 6.4% increase in November.

The Canadian dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar after the mixed Canadian economic data. Canadian consumer price inflation decreased 0.7% in December, missing expectations for a 0.5% decline, after a 0.4% drop in November.

On a yearly basis, the consumer price index fell to 1.5% December from 2.0% in November, in line with expectations. That was the lowest level since March 2014.

The consumer price index was driven by lower gasoline prices.

Canadian core consumer price index, which excludes some volatile goods, decreased 0.3% in December, in line with expectations, after a 0.2% decrease in November.

On a yearly basis, core consumer price index in Canada climbed to 2.2% in December from 2.1% in November. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 2.1%.

Canadian retail sales increased by 0.4% in November, beating expectations for a 0.1% gain, after a flat reading in October.

The increase was driven by promotions such as Black Friday and cold weather. M clothing and clothing accessories sales rose 5.2% in November, while electronic and appliance stores sales gained 4.6%.

The loonie dropped against the greenback on Wednesday as the Bank of Canada (BoC) cut its interest rate. The BoC lowered its interest rate to 0.75% from 1.0%.

The New Zealand dollar traded higher against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from New Zealand. In the overnight trading session, the kiwi traded mixed against the greenback as falling commodity prices weighed on the kiwi.

The better-than-expected Chinese preliminary manufacturing PMI supported the kiwi. Chinese preliminary manufacturing PMI increased to 49.8 in January from 49.6 in December, exceeding expectations for a decline to 49.5.

The Australian dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from Australia. In the overnight trading session, the Aussie traded lower against the greenback due to falling commodity prices.

The Japanese yen traded higher against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the yen traded higher against the greenback. Japan's preliminary manufacturing PMI increased to 52.1 in January from 52.0 in December.