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US Dollar Rises Early Thursday Ahead Jobless Claims, Retail Sales, Import Prices

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The US dollar rose against its major trading partners early Thursday ahead of a busy day of economic releases, starting with weekly jobless claims, April retail sales, and April import and export price data, all at 8:30 am ET.

Business inventory data for March is due to be released at 10:00 am ET, followed by weekly natural gas stocks at 10:30 am ET, and an update to the Atlanta Federal Reserve's GDP nowcast estimate for Q2 around midday.

New York Fed President John Williams is expected to speak at 5:45 pm ET, followed by Fed Governor Michael Barr at 7:00 pm ET.

A quick summary of foreign exchange activity heading into Thursday:

EUR/USD fell to 1.1706 from 1.1714 at the Wednesday US close and 1.1713 at the same time Wednesday morning. There are no Eurozone data on Thursday's schedule. The next European Central Bank meeting is scheduled for June 11.

GBP/USD fell to 1.3516 from 1.3523 at the Wednesday US close but was above a level of 1.3504 at the same time Wednesday morning. UK GDP rose unexpectedly in March, and the Q1 growth pace accelerated from the previous quarter, while UK consumer sentiment improved in May, data released earlier Thursday showed. The next Bank of England meeting is scheduled for June 18.

USD/JPY rose to 157.9264 from 157.8721 at the same time Wednesday US close and 157.8270 at the same time Wednesday morning. The Japanese money supply increased in April, according to data released overnight. The next Bank of Japan meeting is scheduled for June 15-16.

USD/CAD rose to 1.3717 from 1.3705 at the Wednesday US close and 1.3693 at the same time Wednesday morning. Canadian wholesale and new motor vehicle sales for March are due to be released at 8:30 am ET. The next Bank of Canada meeting is scheduled for June 10.

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