USD Loses Ground Against Major Currencies Despite Positive Home Sales

 | Jun 23, 2015 05:22AM ET

Τhe dollar lost ground against most currencies on Monday, even after data showed that U.S. existing home sales rose more than expected in May to hit the highest level since 2009. The National Association of Realtors reported on Monday that U.S. existing home sales increased 5.1% exceeding expectations for a 4.4% increase May. However, the drop in the euro overshadowed weakness in the dollar, as investors were expecting a more decisive outcome from the meeting in Brussels. According to BBC, talks included a proposal made to creditors with plans to raise the nation's retirement age to 67 to impose increases to Value Added Taxes on electricity while Greece appears now more open to a target budget surplus of 1% for this year, 2% next year and up to 3% in 2017. Remarks were made by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker who said Greece's proposals are a step in the right direction and that he was confident a deal could be finalized this week. Elsewhere, in China the June Markit Flash Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.6, better than May's final of 49.2. For today, the euro zone is to release survey data on private sector activity while the U.S. is to release reports on durable goods orders, manufacturing activity and new home sales.

EUR/USD

The euro fell against the dollar on Monday following the meeting in Brussels, as investors were waiting for a more decisive outcome from the Greek Debt negotiations. The pair was also pressured by positive existing home sales figures which reached the highest level since 2009. EUR/USD was fluctuating in a range between 1.13 and 1.14 for the past week and is now trading close to the bottom of the range. According to BBC, talks included a proposal made to creditors with plans to raise the nation's retirement age to 67 to impose increases to Value Added Taxes on electricity while Greece appears now more open to a target budget surplus of 1% for this year, 2% next year and up to 3% in 2017. For today investors will be focusing on survey data on private sector activity from euro zone while the U.S. is to release reports on durable goods orders, manufacturing activity and new home sales.