Data released moments before by the US Census Bureau showed an increase in US retail sales by about 0.9% in April, which was better than the markets expectations that indicated a decline to 0.5%, compared to a decline of about 0.5% before it was adjusted to 1.4% in the March reading, while the annual reading rose to 8.2%, compared to 7.3%, but it came below expectations, which were at 12.3%.
Core sales, excluding car prices, recorded a growth in April of 0.6%, compared to an increase of about 1.1% before it was adjusted to 2.1% recorded in March, but it came less than expectations that indicated a growth of 1.4%.
The US dollar is trading at 103.35 levels, down by 0.80% since the beginning of the session, amid anticipation in the markets for the statements of US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Fed members Bullard, Harker, Kashkari, Meester and Evans.