The dollar has weakened slightly versus its major rivals on Friday, following the release of the U.S. employment data for May. Global economic data was weak pretty much across the board on Friday, with disappointing manufacturing data from China and Europe as well. The glut of weak economic results led investors to exit risky investments and searching for safe places to put their money. The weak U.S. jobs report sparked conversation among investors about the possibility of the Fed going through with a third round of quantitative easing, or QE3.
Job growth in the U.S. came in at an anemic rate in May, sending the unemployment rate up slightly for the month, according to figures released Friday by the Labor Department. The economy added a net of just 69,000 new jobs in May, far lower than the 150,000 expected by most economists. Furthermore, the already week job creation numbers posted for April were revised down sharply to show a gain of just 77,000 jobs, 38,000 fewer than the 115,000 initially reported.
The report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up to 8.2 percent in May from 8.1 percent in April, marking the first increase since last June. The increase by the unemployment rate surprised economists, who had expected the unemployment rate to come in unchanged.
The International Monetary Fund on Thursday denied that it is planning financial assistance for Spain, which is currently reeling under recession and a worsening banking sector crisis. Responding to queries at a regular press conference, IMF External Relations Department Director Gerry Rice said the Fund "is not drawing up plans that involve financial assistance for Spain, nor has Spain requested any financial support from the IMF."
The buck dropped sharply against the Euro following the release of the jobs report on Friday. The U.S. currency briefly touched a new 23-month high of $1.2287 this morning, before falling back to around the $1.2400 level.
Eurozone unemployment reached a record high in April as companies reduced headcount to limit costs amid fears of recession. The jobless rate came in at 11 percent in April, the same rate as seen in March, Eurostat said Friday. It also matched economists' expectations. The rate for March was originally reported as 10.9 percent.
Eurozone manufacturing activity deteriorated at the strongest pace in nearly three years in May, detailed results of a survey conducted by Markit Economics showed Friday. The seasonally adjusted purchasing managers' index, a performance indicator for the manufacturing sector, fell to 45.1 in May from 45.9 in April. This was marginally above the flash estimate of 45.
Activity in the Germany manufacturing sector deteriorated at the sharpest pace in nearly three years in May, final data from a survey by Markit Economics and BME showed Friday. The seasonally adjusted purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector came in at 45.2 in May, slightly higher than 45 recorded in the flash estimates. In April, the reading was 46.2.
The British Chambers of Commerce lowered its economic growth forecasts for this year and called on the government to initiate measures aimed at boosting growth. In its latest Quarterly Economic Forecast, the group said it expects the economy to grow 0.1 percent in 2012, weaker than 0.6 percent estimated previously. However, it lifted the growth forecast for 2013 to 1.9 percent from previously forecast 1.8 percent.
The greenback reached a 4 1/2 month high of $1.5267 Friday morning, but reversed sharply following the jobs report and is now trading around $1.5355.
The British manufacturing sector contracted for the first time in six months in May, as companies scaled back production and employment as inflows of new business declined sharply, data from a survey by Markit Economics and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) showed Friday. The seasonally adjusted purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector dropped to 45.9 in May from 50.2 in April, hitting the lowest level in three years.
The dollar has extended its losses against the Japanese Yen to a third consecutive day. The buck sank to a 3 1/2 month low of Y77.651 Friday morning, but has since bounced back to around Y78.165.
Activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector continued to expand in the month of May, according to a report released by the Institute for Supply Management on Friday, although the pace of growth slowed by more than economists had anticipated.
The ISM said its purchasing managers' index fell to 53.5 in May from 54.8 in April, although a reading above 50 indicates continued growth in the manufacturing sector. Economists had been expecting the index to edge down to a reading of 54.0.
Private sector construction in the U.S. fueled a continued rebound in overall construction spending in April, according to figures released Friday by the Commerce Department. Total construction spending for the month came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $820.7 billion in April, reflecting a 0.3 percent increase over revised March levels.
While the 0.3 percent growth rate was slightly slower than the 0.4 percent growth predicted by most economists, it comes atop revised figures that showed construction spending growing at 0.3 percent in March, upwardly revised from the 0.1 percent increase initially reported.
While the Commerce Department released a report on Friday showing that U.S. personal income rose by a little less than expected in the month of April, personal spending for the month still increased in line with estimates. The report showed that personal income edged up by 0.2 percent in April following a 0.4 percent increase in March. Economists had expected income to increase by about 0.3 percent.
Meanwhile, personal spending rose by 0.3 percent in April after climbing by 0.2 percent in March. The increase matched the expectations of economists.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Forex News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.