Market Overview
Recent U.S. economic data has shown mixed results. Unemployment claims rose to 222K, above the expected 219K, suggesting a slight weakening in the labor market. Building permits dropped to 1.44 million, down from 1.49 million, indicating a slowdown in future construction activity. The Philly Fed Manufacturing Index fell sharply to 4.5, missing the forecast of 7.7 and the previous 15.5, pointing to a slowdown in manufacturing.
These mixed signals have resulted in a slight uptick in the Dollar Index, which is trading at $104.636, up 0.11%.
