New York, US (BBN) - The dollar was quoted slightly weaker in early Asia on Tuesday with Australia's central bank set for an interest rate decision and investors cautious ahead of a meeting this week between US.
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Florida expected to be contentious on trade, reports investing.com
The US dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was last quoted at 100.36.
The NZIER business confidence survey for the first quarter showed a dip to 17 per cent from 28 per cent, while the New Zealand think tank said capacity utilization rose to 93.6 per cent from 92.7 per cent.
NZD/USD traded at 0.7014, up 0.03 per cent.
Ahead, Australia reports trade data for February with a trade balance surplus of A$1.80 billion seen.
Later in the day, the Reserve Bank of Australia will review monetary policy and is expected to stay on hold at a record low 1.50 per cent for the benchmark rate.
AUD/USD traded down 0.03 per cent to 0.7604, while USD/JPY changed hands at 110.85, down 0.04 per cent.
Overnight, the dollar remained slightly above break-even against a basket of major currencies on Monday, as investors mulled over the release of mixed economic data.
As well, the Bank of Japan will report core CPI with a 0.2 per cent gain expected year-on-year.
The dollar retreated from session highs, as March construction spending fell below economists’ forecasts while economic activity in the manufacturing sector slowed less than expected.
The Institute of Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) hit 57.2 in March, a 0.5 per cent decrease from the February reading of 57.7 but slightly above economists’ forecasts of 57.0.
Meanwhile, the Commerce Department said, February US construction spending increased 0.8 per cent to its highest level in more than ten years but it missed analysts’ expectations of 1 per cent rise.
Elsewhere, the pound lost some of its resilience against the dollar, as GBP/USD tumbled to a session low of $1.2466, after UK manufacturing activity slowed in March.
Financial data company Markit said its purchasing managers' index (PMI) slipped to 54.2 from a downwardly revised 54.5 in February.
BBN/MS/SK