The US dollar fell against its major trading partners early Thursday ahead of the release of weekly jobless claims, June personal income, spending, and price data, and the first look at Q2 GDP, all at 8:30 am ET.
Weekly natural gas stocks are due to be released at 10:30 am ET, and the Atlanta Federal Reserve's first GDP nowcast estimate for Q3 is expected around midday.
The dollar's decline follows a decision by the Federal Open Market Committee to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3.50% to 3.75%, but with dissents from three voters that preferred a 25-basis point increase.
A quick summary of foreign exchange activity heading into Thursday:
EUR/USD rose to 1.1477 from 1.1449 at the Wednesday US close and 1.1385 at the same time Wednesday morning. Eurozone GDP rebounded in Q2 after a decline in the previous quarter, lifting the year-over-year rate, according to data released earlier Thursday. Other data released overnight showed a steady Eurozone unemployment rate in June and an unchanged reading for Eurozone consumer confidence in July. The next European Central Bank meeting is scheduled for September 10.
GBP/USD rose to 1.3388 from 1.3348 at the Wednesday US close and 1.3292 at the same time Wednesday morning. The Bank of England maintained its target rate at its meeting Thursday, but three of the nine members preferred to raise rates. The next Bank of England meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17. There are no UK data on Thursday's schedule.
USD/JPY fell to 162.8043 from 163.5130 at the Wednesday US close and 163.6754 at the same time Wednesday morning. Japanese household confidence rose in July, according to data released overnight. The Bank of Japan is expected to maintain its policy rate when its post-meeting statement is released at 10:30 pm ET Thursday evening.
USD/CAD fell to 1.4049 from 1.4057 at the Wednesday US close and 1.4098 at the same time Wednesday morning. Canadian weekly earnings data for May are due to be released at 8:30 am ET. The next Bank of Canada meeting is scheduled for Sept. 2.