Tokyo - The dollar weakened against the euro in Asia on Wednesday after data showed the US trade deficit ballooned to a six-year high in March.
Analysts said the yawning trade gap had raised questions about the outlook for an increase in US interest rates, a move that would be supportive of the greenback.
The euro bought $1.1233 in Singapore late-morning trade, up from $1.1185 in New York late on Tuesday.
The dollar was changing hands at 119.93 yen from 119.87 and the euro single currency was at 134.69 yen from 134.08.
Trading however was subdued with Japanese financial markets closed for a public holiday.
Howie Lee, an investment analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore, said the dollar's softening was “expected” after US Commerce Department figures on Tuesday showed the US trade deficit swelled more than 40 percent to $51.4 billion in March. It was the largest gap since October 2008.
“Combined with the low prices of oil, the trade deficit numbers have given rise to a pessimistic US market, whose fiscal hands will be tied,” said Lee.
He said the deficit numbers “could well play a big role” in the US central bank's decision on the timing of its plans to raise ultra-low interest rates.
DBS Bank said in market commentary the US trade deficit was “worse than anticipated” and could mean that the initial estimates of a 0.2 percent growth in US gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter could actually be weaker.
“Odds are, GDP growth will fall by another 50-70 basis points from the initial estimate of 0.2 percent (expansion), leaving growth of -0.3 percent to -0.5 percent when all is said and done,” the bank said.
Analysts said the market was waiting for Friday's US jobs report for April to look for further signs about the health of the US economy, a key engine for global growth.
AFP