Investing.com - The dollar traded mixed to lower against most major currencies on Tuesday despite solid U.S. data, as investors locked in gains and sold the greenback for profits, ending a rally fueled by expectations that U.S. monetary policy is set to diverge with those of its peers.
In U.S. trading on Tuesday, EUR/USD was up 0.05% at 1.2856.
The dollar firmed against the euro and most other major currencies in recent weeks as investors prepped for monetary policy to become less accommodative in the U.S. at a time when Europe and Japan are taking steps to loosen.
By Tuesday, investors viewed the dollar's rally as due for a breather and sold the greenback for profits, giving the single currency room to rise despite mixed European data.
Research group Markit reported that the euro zone composite output index, which measures the combined output of both the manufacturing and service sectors slumped to a nine-month low of 52.3 from 52.5 in August.
The bloc’s services PMI slid to a three-month low of 52.8 from 53.1 last month, missing expectations for a 53.0 reading.
The manufacturing index ticked down to a 14-month low of 50.5 from 50.7 in August, though in line with market forecasts.
Germany’s private sector output continued to expand this month but growth in the manufacturing sector slowed to a 15-month low.
Private sector activity in France fell for the fifth consecutive month, as service-sector activity declined for the first time in three months, offsetting a slower decline in manufacturing output.
“The survey paints a picture of ongoing malaise in the euro zone economy,” Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit said.
The data indicated that the euro area economy is on track to grow by 0.3% in the third quarter and signaled that growth could slow further in the fourth quarter.
On Monday, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said economic activity in the euro area has slowed and added he saw risks for further downturn, though markets have already priced in monetary stimulus measures to shore up the economy.
Meanwhile, Markit Economics reported earlier that its preliminary U.S. manufacturing purchasing managers’ index came in at 57.9 in September, unchanged from August and the highest since April 2010 though shy of market calls for a 58.0 reading.
A separate report showed that the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s monthly manufacturing index rose to 14 this month from 12 in August, defying market forecasts for a decline to 10.
The dollar was up against the yen, with USD/JPY up 0.06% at 108.90, and down against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF down 0.06% at 0.9392.
The greenback was down against the pound, with GBP/USD up 0.23% at 1.6398.
The dollar was higher against its cousins in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with USD/CAD up 0.28% at 1.1073, AUD/USD down 0.31% at 0.8846 and NZD/USD down 0.63% at 0.8069.
The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was down 0.01% at 84.79.
On Wednesday, markets will move on new home sales numbers in the U.S.