Investing.com - Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia-region expanded at the fastest pace in six months in June, easing concerns over the U.S. economic outlook, official data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said that its manufacturing index improved to a reading of 15.2 this month from May's reading of 6.7. Analysts had expected the index to rise to 8.0 in June.
On the index, a reading above 0.0 indicates improving conditions, below indicates worsening conditions.
EUR/USD was trading at 1.1391 from around 1.1405 ahead of the release of the data, GBP/USD was at 1.5893 from 1.5903 earlier, while USD/JPY was at 122.86 from 122.75 earlier.
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was at 94.02, compared to 93.92 ahead of the report.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets were up after the open. The Dow 30 rose 0.7%, the S&P 500 advanced 0.55%, while the Nasdaq Composite tacked on 0.8%.
Elsewhere, in the commodities market, gold futures traded at $1,201.10 a troy ounce, compared to $1,201.50 ahead of the data, while crude oil traded at $60.36 a barrel from $60.24 earlier.