Euro fell in American trade to December 18 lows against the dollar, following earlier data from the euro zone and the US, the world's largest economy. 

As of 03:07 GMT, EUR/USD fell 0.44% to 1.1786 from the opening of 1.1838, with an intraday high at 1.1854, and a five-month low at 1.1764. 

Earlier German data showed the final reading for consumer prices unchanged in April as expected, compared to a 0.4% rise in March, while the same index for the whole zone rose 1.2% as expected, down from 1.3% in March, as core prices rose 0.7% y/y, down from 1%. 

European Council President Donald Tusk called for European unity in the trade dispute with the US, asserting that unity is the sole source of strength in this dispute as Europe seeks permanent exemptions from the new US tariffs. 

Tusk reiterated his unity message when it came to preserving the Iran deal, calling for protecting European companies from US decisions while curbing Iran's involvement in the Middle East.

Otherwise, German Chancellor Angela Merkel asserted the importance of negotiating the Iranian ballistic missile and the Iranian role in the Middle East in order to reach a better deal that includes all sides. 

On another note, the European Central Bank remarked on the Brexit period as a suitable tool to pave the way for a smooth and clean British exit, which would help banks and other corporations in preparation for their next moves. 

ECB member Vítor Constâncio said in earlier remarks that recent economic slowdown in Europe was unexpected but not dangerous, asserting that current ECB forecasts for growth remain viable. 

Otherwise, earlier US data showed housing starts fell 1.8% in April to an annualized 1.352 million units, compared to a 4.1% rise in March to 1.377 million, while analysts expected a 2.1% dip to 1.350 million. 

Building permits fell 3.7% to 1.287 million, compared to a 3.6% rise to 1.336 million in March, while analysts expected a 0.7% dip to 1.310 million. 

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic spoke earlier about the economic outlook at the Augusta Cotton Exchange, where he pointed to Fed's uncertainty on how will US companies respond to tax cuts, with most polls so far indicating corporations aren't changing their spending plans in 2018. 

Bostic said consumer spending is strong but still not at its peak, expressing otherwise his support for three rate hikes this year, while pointing to the 3.9% unemployment rate as extremely low. 

US industrial production rose 0.7% in April, same as March and beating expectations of a slowdown in growth to 0.6%. 

The Capacity Utilization Rate rose to 78% in April from 77.6% in March, missing forecasts of 78.4%. 

The Energy Information Administration released its report on US crude stocks, showing a drawdown of 1.4 million barrels in the week ending May 11, compared to a 2.2 million deficit in the previous week, while analysts expected a 1.1M drawdown, with total stocks now down to 432.4 million barrels. 

Gasoline stocks fell 3.8 million barrels, while distillate stocks, including heating fuel, dipped 0.1 million barrels. 

US stock indices opened the third session of the week higher after a spate of data from the world's largest economy, and amid a final trickle of first-quarter earnings results for major American corporations. 

Earlier US data showed housing starts fell 1.8% in April to an annualized 1.352 million units, compared to a 4.1% rise in March to 1.377 million, while analysts expected a 2.1% dip to 1.350 million. 

Building permits fell 3.7% to 1.287 million, compared to a 3.6% rise to 1.336 million in March, while analysts expected a 0.7% dip to 1.310 million. 

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic spoke earlier about the economic outlook at the Augusta Cotton Exchange, where he pointed to Fed's uncertainty on how will US companies respond to tax cuts, with most polls so far indicating corporations aren't changing their spending plans in 2018. 

Bostic said consumer spending is strong but still not at its peak, expressing otherwise his support for three rate hikes this year, while pointing to the 3.9% unemployment rate as extremely low. 

US industrial production rose 0.7% in April, same as March and beating expectations of a slowdown in growth to 0.6%. 

The Capacity Utilization Rate rose to 78% in April from 77.6% in March, missing forecasts of 78.4%. 

As of 02:13 GMT, Standard and Poor's 500 rose 0.16%, or 44.3 points to 2,715.88, while Dow Jones inched up 0.03%, or 8.43 points to 24,714.84. 

Tech-heavy NASDAQ added 0.31%, or 22.91 points to 7,374.54. 

Gold futures tilted higher in American trade while still hovering near December 26 lows, as the dollar index hit December 19 highs, following earlier data from the US, the world's largest economy. 

As of 02:05 GMT, gold futures due on June 15 inched up 0.06% to $1,291.10 an ounce from the opening of $1,290.30, while the dollar index added 0.17% to 93.39 from the opening of 93.22. 

Earlier US data showed housing starts fell 1.8% in April to an annualized 1.352 million units, compared to a 4.1% rise in March to 1.377 million, while analysts expected a 2.1% dip to 1.350 million. 

Building permits fell 3.7% to 1.287 million, compared to a 3.6% rise to 1.336 million in March, while analysts expected a 0.7% dip to 1.310 million. 

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic spoke earlier about the economic outlook at the Augusta Cotton Exchange, where he pointed to Fed's uncertainty on how will US companies respond to tax cuts, with most polls so far indicating corporations aren't changing their spending plans in 2018. 

Bostic said consumer spending is strong but still not at its peak, expressing otherwise his support for three rate hikes this year, while pointing to the 3.9% unemployment rate as extremely low. 

US industrial production rose 0.7% in April, same as March and beating expectations of a slowdown in growth to 0.6%. 

The Capacity Utilization Rate rose to 78% in April from 77.6% in March, missing forecasts of 78.4%. 

Recently, the World Gold Council reported a 7% drop in global demand in the first quarter of 2018 to 973.5 tonnes, the lowest since the first quarter of 2008, as investments fell 27% on the precious metal to 287 tonnes from 383 tonnes in the first quarter of 2017. 

Central banks' gold demand rose 42% to 116.5 tonnes, especially from Russia, while jewelry demand steadied at 487.7 tonnes, as mine supplies grew 1% y/y to 770 thousand tonnes. 

Gold holdings at SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed investment fund, steadied at 856.17 tonnes on Tuesday with no change, the lowest since April 5, after rising 3%, or 23.63 tonnes in 2017, while gold prices rose 13% last year.