FOREX TODAY: AHEAD OF MID-TIER DATA, THE US DOLLAR RETREATS FROM MULTI-MONTH HIGHS.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF ON THURSDAY, APRIL 18 IS AS FOLLOWS:

During Thursday's early European session, there is still some selling pressure on the US dollar (USD). Weekly Initial Jobless Claims, the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey for April, and March data on Existing Home Sales are all available on the US economic calendar. During American trade hours, a number of Federal Reserve (Fed) policymakers are expected to give lectures.

The USD Index hit 106.50 on Wednesday, its highest level since early November, but it remains below 106.00. The yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury bond hovers below 4.6% after a steep fall midweek. In the meantime, US stock index futures are trading higher, indicating that risk sentiment has improved over the morning in Europe. It is anticipated that the US and the EU would increase sanctions against Iran, and markets appear to be hopeful that the crisis between Iran and Israel won't escalate any more.

THE CURRENT US DOLLAR PRICE

The US dollar's (USD) percentage change compared to a list of major currencies is displayed in the table below. In relation to the New Zealand Dollar, the US dollar was the weakest.

The major currencies' percentage movements relative to one another are displayed on the heat map. The quotation currency is selected from the top row, and the base currency is selected from the left column. For example, the percentage change shown in the box will indicate EUR (base)/JPY (quote) if you select the Euro from the left column and proceed along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen.

Australia's unemployment rate increased to 3.8% in March from 3.7%, according to data released during Asian trade hours. The employment change was -6.6K, below the market's forecast of a 7.2K gain. The Australian dollar (AUD/USD) surged higher on Wednesday after ending a three-day losing run. It was last seen trading in positive territory at roughly 0.6450.

On Wednesday, the USD/JPY had a downward correction and ended the day lower. During the Asian session, the pair dipped little, and its most recent trading position was just above 154.00. Early on Friday morning in the Asian session, the Japanese economic docket will include data from the National Consumer Price Index (CPI).

On Wednesday, gold dropped by over 1% but found support at $2,360. Early on Thursday, XAU/USD gained bullish momentum and moved again toward $2,380.

On Wednesday, the EUR/USD pair significantly recovered and gained 0.5%. Early on Thursday, the pair maintains its position and is trading just below 1.0700. Data on Construction Output for February will be released by Eurostat later in the session.

On Wednesday, the GBP/USD pair showed slight increases, and on Thursday, it began to move within a small range above 1.2450. Retail Sales data for March will be made available by the UK's Office for National Statistics on Friday during the early European session.