Investing.com - The dollar remained broadly higher against other major currencies on Thursday, supported by ongoing optimism over the strength of the U.S. economy and as investors eyed the release of a final report on U.S. fourth quarter growth.
EUR/USD slipped 0.27% to 1.0736, the lowest since March 21.
The greenback remained supported after the U.S. National Association of Realtors said on Wednesday that its pending home sales increased by 5.5% last month, more than doubling expectations for an increase of 2.4%.
The data came a day after the U.S. Consumer Board said its consumer confidence index rose to a nearly 17-year high of 125.6 in March from 116.1 the previous month, far above expectations of a reading of 114.
The U.S. dollar was also boosted after Chicago Federal Bank President Charles Evans and Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan on Monday suggested that the U.S. central bank will continue its monetary tightening cycle.
Meanwhile, the euro remained under pressure after Reuters reported on Wednesday that European Central Bank policymakers are wary of adjusting their policy message in April amid concerns over a potential surge in borrowing costs in the bloc’s periphery.
Elsewhere, GBP/USD edged down 0.14% to 1.2419 after British Prime Minister Theresa May formally began Brexit proceedings on Wednesday, launching a two-year negotiation process before the divorce comes into effect in late March 2019.
USD/JPY held steady at 111.06, while USD/CHF was little changed at 0.9963.
The Australian and New Zealand dollars were weaker, with AUD/USD down 0.16% at 0.7657 and with NZD/USD shedding 0.26% to 0.7013.
Meanwhile, USD/CAD eased up 0.09% to trade at 1.3340.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was up 0.23% at 100.01, the highest since March 21.