Euro rises for first time in three sessions against dollar

Euro rose against the dollar in American trade away from February 12 lows, following earlier data from the euro zone and the US, and ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic.

As of 03:46 GMT, EUR/USD rose 0.44% to 1.2338 from the opening of 1.2284, with a session-high at 1.2352, and a ten-day low at 1.2260. 

Earlier French data showed consumer prices dipped 0.1% in line with expectations, compared to a 0.3% rise in December, while Germany's IFO business climate index slowed down more than expected in February. 

The European Central Bank released the minutes of the January 25 meeting, at which policymakers voted to hold the minimum bid rate at zero and the deposit rate at minus 0.40%, while carrying on the monetary easing program estimated at 30 billion euros a month until September. 

Otherwise, earlier US data showed unemployment claims fell 7 thousand to 222 thousand from 229 thousand in the previous reading, below expectations of 230K, while continuing claims in the week ending February 10 fell 73 thousand to 1.875 million from 1.948 million, also sharply below forecasts of 1.938 million. 

Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William Dudley will spoke earlier today about the economic situation in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, at a press briefing hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York

The Federal Reserve released the minutes of the January 30-31 meeting, at which policymakers held interest rates unchanged between 1.25% and 1.50%, while expecting inflation to settle at 2% in the next 12 months.