Euro slips below 1.17 against dollar

Euro fell against the dollar to the lowest since July 28, following earlier data from the euro zone and the US, and ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's minutes for the July 25-26 meeting.

As of 05:28 GMT, EUR/USD fell 0.32% to 1.1697 from the opening of 1.1735, with an intraday low at 1.1682, and a high at 1.1758.

Earlier Italian data showed second-quarter GDP growth at 0.4% in line with expectations, while accelerating to 1.5% y/y from 1.2%, besting expectations of 0.6%, while the GDP reading for the whole region steadied at 0.6% as expected, while accelerating to 2.2% y/y, surpassing forecasts of 2.1%. 

Similarly, German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble noted in earlier remarks that the European Central Bank is able to achieve its goals, expressing his opposition to the German constitutional cout's request yesterday of the European court to take the appropriate measures regarding the ECB for its breach of several European laws in its current monetary easing program. 

Schäuble noted the need to deal with Britain's exit from the European Union in a more serious way, and end Brexit talks with the least possible amount of damage for the union, describing the relationship between the Union and Switzerland as an example to be followed in the negotiations. 

Otheriwse, earlier US data showed building permits fell more than expected as housing starts declined unexpectedly in July, as markets now await the Fed's last meeting minutes, at which policymakers voted to maintain interest rates at between 1.00% and 1.25%, while confirming their plan to normalize the massive $4.5 balance sheet later this year.