The U.S. dollar traded mixed to higher against the most major currencies after the mixed U.S. economic data. New home sales climbed 7.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 539,000 units in February from 500,000 units in January. It was the highest level since February 2008. January's figure was revised up from 481,000 units. Analysts had expected new home sales to reach 472,000 units.
The increase was driven by higher sales in the Northeast. New home sales in the Northeast rose 152.9% in February, after a 45.2% decline in January.
The U.S. preliminary manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 55.3 in March from 55.1 in February, beating expectations for a decline to 54.9. It was the highest level since October 2014.
The U.S. consumer price inflation rose 0.2% in February, in line with expectations, after a 0.7% decline in January.
The increase was driven by higher gasoline prices. Gasoline prices rose for the first time since June 2014.
On a yearly basis, the U.S. consumer price index climbed to zero in February from -0.1% in January. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at -0.1%.
The U.S. consumer price inflation excluding food and energy gained 0.2% in February, exceeding expectations for a 0.1% increase, after a 0.2% rise in January.
On a yearly basis, the U.S. consumer price index excluding food and energy climbed to 1.7% in February from 1.6% in January. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 1.6%.
The euro declined against the U.S. dollar. Eurozone's preliminary manufacturing PMI increased to 51.9 in March from 51.0 in February, exceeding expectations for a rise to 51.6.
Eurozone's preliminary services PMI rose to 54.3 in March from 53.7 in February. Analysts had expected the index to climb to 53.9.
Germany's preliminary manufacturing PMI climbed to 52.4 in March from 51.1 in February, beating forecasts of an increase to 51.5.
Germany's preliminary services PMI increased to 55.3 in March from 54.7 in February, beating expectations for a gain to 55.0.
France's preliminary manufacturing PMI was up to 48.2 in March from 47.6 in February, missing forecasts of a rise to 48.9.
France's preliminary services PMI fell to 52.8 in March from 53.4 in February, missing expectations for a decline to 53.1.
The British pound fell against the U.S. dollar. The U.K. consumer price index declined to zero in February from 0.3% in January, missing expectations for a fall to 0.1%. That was the lowest level since 1989.
The drop was driven by lower prices for food and computer goods.
Consumer price inflation excluding food, energy, alcohol and tobacco prices fell to 1.2% in February from 1.4% the month before.
The Retail Prices Index declined to 1.0% in February from 1.1% in January, beating forecasts of a decrease to 0.9%.
The consumer price inflation is below the Bank of England's 2% target.
The New Zealand dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the kiwi traded mixed against the greenback in the absence of any major economic reports from New Zealand.
The weaker-than-expected preliminary Chinese HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) weighed on the kiwi. The index declined to 49.2 in March from a final reading of 50.7 in February. It was the lowest level since April 2014. The decline was driven by lower new orders.
The Australian dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the Aussie traded lower against the greenback in the absence of any major economic reports from Australia.
The weaker-than-expected preliminary Chinese HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) weighed on the Aussie.
The Japanese yen traded lower against the U.S. dollar. In the overnight trading session, the yen traded higher against the greenback after comments by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) Governor Haruhiko Kuroda. He said on Tuesday that he held talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday. Kuroda told Abe that the country's economy continues to recover moderately, and that inflation will increase.
Kuroda said to Abe that inflation is slowing due to falling oil prices but there is no change in the long-term rising trend.
The BoJ governor also said on Tuesday that tapering asset purchases is one option to end quantitative easing.
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