Forexpros – The dollar was mixed to slightly stronger against the world’s major currencies Wednesday, firming on healthy consumer confidence data as well as on fears that investor confidence in Italy may be eroding.
During Asian morning trade, the greenback was up against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.02% to hit 1.3068.
In the U.S., the Confidence Board reported that its consumer confidence index came to 64.5 in December, up from 55.2 in November and outpacing market forecasts for a 58.2 reading.
Consumer spending accounts for about 70% of total U.S. economic output.
On a more negative note, the S&P/Case-Shiller House Price Index showed home prices in a 20-city composite group fell 3.4% in October when compared to the same month in 2010, slightly worse than expected.
In Italy, ten-year bond yields have hit 7.04%, up above the 7% level that prompted Greece, Ireland and Portugal to seek bailouts, as fears are arising that investors may be worried about the government’s ability to navigate the country out of the crisis.
In Japan, meanwhile, core inflation rates came in at -0.3% better than market forecasts for -0.4%.
Unemployment rates in Japan currently stand at 4.5%, according to the latest data, in line with market expectations.
The Japanese government, however, reported that retail sales, industrial output and average cash earnings figures performed a little worse than expected, however.
The greenback was also stronger against the pound, with Cable falling 0.04% to hit 1.5664.
Meanwhile, the greenback was down 0.09% against the yen, with USD/JPY was trading at 77.81, and up against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF up 0.01% at 0.9342.
The greenback was mixed against its counterparts in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with USD/CAD flat at 1.0187, AUD/USD up 0.10% to 1.0167 and NZD/USD up 0.25% at 0.7748.
The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was up 0.01% at 80.15.
Data will be light ahead of the New Year holiday.
Later Wednesday, Switzerland will release its leading indicators index, while in the U.S., the Mortgage Bankers Association will release its weekly mortgage applications numbers.
South Korea, meanwhile, will release its latest industrial production figures.
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