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US Dollar Falls Early Thursday Ahead of Jobless Claims, Trade, Productivity, Waller Appearance

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The US dollar fell against its major trading partners early Thursday ahead of a busy day, starting with weekly jobless claims, international trade data for July, revised Q2 productivity, and an appearance by Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, all at 8:30 am ET.

S&P Global services data for August are due to be released at 9:45 am ET, followed by the ISM services report for August at 10:00 am ET and weekly natural gas stocks data at 10:30 am ET.

The Atlanta Fed's GDP nowcast estimate for Q3 is expected to be updated around midday.

Earlier Thursday, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that layoff plans rose in July after a June decline but were still below their year-ago level.

A quick summary of foreign exchange activity heading into Thursday:

EUR/USD rose to 1.1608 from 1.1589 at the Wednesday US close and 1.1574 at the same time Wednesday morning. Eurozone services PMI declined slightly in August while Eurozone producer price growth accelerated in July, according to data released earlier Thursday. The next European Central Bank meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10.

GBP/USD rose to 1.3499 from 1.3490 at the Wednesday US close and 1.3483 at the same time Wednesday morning. UK services PMI rose further above the breakeven point in August, according to data released earlier Thursday. The next Bank of England meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17.

USD/JPY plunged to 155.8912 from 158.6352 at the Wednesday US close and 159.7692 at the same time Wednesday morning, with the move being attributed to expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike at its next meeting and the possibility of intervention soon, as well as an improvement in the Japanese services PMI for August overnight. The next Bank of Japan meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17-18.

USD/CAD fell to 1.3802 from 1.3841 at the Wednesday US close and 1.3927 at the same time Wednesday morning. The Bank of Canada maintained its policy rate at its meeting on Wednesday, but noted that inflation uncertainty is high due to tariff threats from the US and will act as needed to address heightened price pressures. The next Bank of Canada meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28. The Canadian trade balance for July is due to be released at 8:30 am ET, at the same time as labor productivity data for Q2.

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