Dollar steadies after positive economic data

The US dollar held steadily against most of its peers on Thursday, after the release of upbeat US economic data.

The US Department of Labor revealed that the number of initial unemployment claims fell to 411K last week from 418K, while analysts forecast 382K.

The second reading of the US GDP showed a growth by 6.4% during the first quarter of 2021 as expected.

The markets are absorbing Fed Chief Jerome Powell's hints on Tuesday that the Fed will adopt a patient approach before raising interest rates.

Efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic are continuing around the world, especially after the new highly transmissible delta strain emerged in some countries.

The dollar index held against a basket of major currencies by at 91.8 points as of 18:42 GMT, after hitting a high of 91.8 points and a low of 91.6 points.