The U.S. dollar hovered in positive territory early Thursday after the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes a day earlier failed to put another dovish damper on market sentiment.
Last month, the central bank took a turn and stressed that it could be patient on further interest-rate moves, which weighed on the dollar and had market participants concerned about what the minutes would reveal. However, they showed that the voting members of the Federal Open Market Committee were undecided on their future rates strategy, with no discussion of potential rate cuts.
The ICE U.S. Dollar Index DXY, -0.04% was little changed but in the green on Thursday, at 96.466.
Don’t miss: What a U.S. demand for China to stabilize its currency really means
The Australian dollar AUDUSD, -0.7537% was the worst performing major currency on Thursday, hitting a one week-low of $0.7085 against its U.S. rival following reports that China’s Dalian port authorities had banned Australian coal imports.
Check out: Why the Australian dollar is the world’s riskiest currency
Australia’s natural resource-rich economy is closely linked to that of China, which is a big importer of coal and iron ore from down under. The Aussie last bought $0.7113, down from $0.7165 late Wednesday in New York.
Elsewhere, the British pound GBPUSD, +0.2298% took a hit after European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker complained of ‘”Brexit fatigue” and told members of the European Economic and Social Commitee that he was “not very optimistic” a no-deal Brexit could be avoided, according to reports.
The currency recovered again after the dip, climbing back into positive territory and last changing hands at $1.3067, up 0.1%.
Juncker and U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May met on Wednesday and in a joint statement said the talks were constructive.
The euro EURUSD, +0.1499% was slightly stronger versus the dollar as well, buying $1.1355 compared with $1.1340 late Wednesday. Preliminary February purchasing managers’ indexes were mixed with services stronger and manufacturing contracting. The composite index was slightly stronger than the consensus.
Want news about Europe delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Europe Daily newsletter. Sign up here.
