Euro hits three-week high ahead of French elections

Euro rose today to a three-week high as the dollar fell against a basket of currencies, while optimism spread about French elections following recent opinion polls. 

The dollar fell to a three-week trough against a basket of currencies after U.S. unemployment claims rose past expectations last week, hurting the greenback and buoying the common currency. 

On the other hand, euro drew support from a recent poll that showed centrist Emanuel Macron on track for a win in France's first round presidential elections, soothing concerns about the chances of Far Right candidate Marie Le Pen, who called for an exit from the European Union. 

The poll underpinned the euro today after a slight decline yesterday, specially after European shares gained ground following upbeat corporate earnings results. 

EUR/USD last traded at 1.0765, up from the opening of 1.0715, with an intraday high at 1.0777, and a low at 1.0710.