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US Dollar Rises Early Thursday Ahead of Jobless Claims, Chicago National Activity Index, S&P Global Flash Estimates

-- The US dollar rose against its major trading partners early Thursday before the release of weekly jobless claims data and the Chicago Federal Reserve's National Activity Index for March, both at 8:30 am ET.

S&P Global flash estimates of manufacturing and services conditions for April are due at 9:45 am ET, followed by weekly natural gas stocks at 10:30 am ET and the Kansas City Fed's manufacturing reading for April at 11:00 am ET.

A quick summary of foreign exchange activity heading into Thursday:

EUR/USD fell to 1.1681 from 1.1706 at the Wednesday US close and 1.1752 at the same time Wednesday morning. Eurozone manufacturing PMI rose in April, but services PMI declined, according to data released earlier Thursday. The next European Central Bank meeting is scheduled for April 30.

GBP/USD fell to 1.3488 from 1.3504 at the Wednesday US close and 1.3516 at the same time Wednesday morning. UK manufacturing and services PMI both increased in April, while UK car registration rebounded in March after a decline in the previous month, according to data released earlier Thursday. The next Bank of England meeting is scheduled for April 30.

USD/JPY rose to 159.7290 from 159.5489 at the Wednesday US close and 159.2295 at the same time Wednesday morning. Japanese manufacturing PMI increased in April, while services PMI declined but remained above the breakeven point. The next Bank of Japan meeting is scheduled for April 27-28.

USD/CAD rose to 1.3671 from 1.3668 at the Wednesday US close and 1.3655 at the same time Wednesday morning. Canadian industrial product and raw materials prices and home prices for March are due to be released at 8:30 am ET. The next Bank of Canada meeting is scheduled for April 29.

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