USD Strong Against Major Currencies, EUR/USD Posts Sharp Drop

 | Jul 01, 2015 05:29AM ET

The dollar remained stronger against most major currencies on Tuesday, after data showed that U.S. consumer confidence improved more than expected in June and as concerns for a Greek default continues to provide support to safe-haven demand. The Conference Board reported on Tuesday that consumer confidence rose to 101.4 this month from 94.6 in May, when analysts expected a rise to 97.3 in June. Elsewhere, Eurozone data showed that the euro zone's consumer price inflation rose by 0.2% this month, meeting forecasts while unemployment was at 11.1% in May, the lowest level since March 2012. Mr. Gerry Rice, Director of Communications at the IMF, made the following statement today regarding Greece's financial obligations to the IMF due today: "I confirm that the 1.2 billion repayment due by Greece to the IMF today has not been received. We have informed our Executive Board that Greece is now in arrears and can only receive IMF financing once the arrears are cleared. I can also confirm that the IMF received a request today from the Greek authorities for an extension of Greece's repayment obligation that fell due today, which will go to the IMF's Executive Board in due course.". For today, the U.S. is to release a report on ADP nonfarm payrolls and later in the day the Institute of Supply Management is to release data on manufacturing activity.

EUR/USD

The EUR/USD posted a sharp drop on Tuesday, after recovering by more than 2% on Monday as Greece remain on track towards a default. An emergency conference call between Greece and its international creditors ended once more without a deal on Tuesday and as result, Greece's second bailout since 2010, expired as expected. Separately, Greece failed to repay the amount owed to the IMF, before Tuesday's deadline losing financial aid from the IMF. The pair was also pressured by data from the U.S showing that U.S. consumer confidence improved to 101.4 this month from 94.6 in May, when analysts expected a rise to 97.3 in June. Elsewhere, Eurozone data showed that the euro zone's consumer price inflation rose by 0.2% this month, meeting forecasts while unemployment was at 11.1% in May, the lowest level since March 2012. For today, the U.S. is to release a report on ADP nonfarm payrolls and later in the day the Institute of Supply Management is to release data on manufacturing activity.