Dollar mixed vs. rivals ahead of U.S. data

The U.S. dollar was mixed against the other major currencies on Friday, as markets eyed the release of U.S. data later in the day, while expectations for a near-term end to the Federal Reserve's bond buying program still lent some support to the greenback. 

During European morning trade, the dollar was lower against the euro, with EUR/USD rising 0.29% to 1.2971. 

The euro gained ground after the Ifo Institute said its German business climate index rose to 105.7 in May, from a reading of 104.4 the previous month, beating expectations for an increase to 104.5. 

The report came after data showed that the Gfk German consumer climate index rose unexpectedly in May, ticking up to 6.5 from a reading of 6.2 the previous month. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged this month. 

The greenback was steady against the pound, with GBP/USD eased up 0.05% to 1.5113. 

In a report, the British Bankers' Association said mortgage approvals rose by 32,200 in April, less than the expected 32,700 increase, after a 31,400 rise the previous month. 

Elsewhere, the greenback was lower against the yen and the Swiss franc, with USD/JPY edging down 0.25% to trade at 101.73, and withUSD/CHF retreating 0.40% to 0.9651. 

Bank of Japan Chairman Haruhiko Kuroda earlier said that he’ll keep strengthening communication with the market and that the unprecedented stimulus announced by the central bank remains sufficient. 

The greenback was higher against its Canadian, Australian and New Zealand counterparts, with USD/CAD gaining 0.39% to 1.0342,AUD/USD shedding 0.77% to 0.9672 and NZD/USD dropping 0.57% to 0.8087. 

Earlier Friday, official data showed that New Zealand's trade surplus narrowed far more-than-expected in April, falling to NZD157 million, from a surplus of NZD718 million the previous month. 

Analysts had expected the trade surplus to narrow to NZD475 million last month. 

The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was down 0.23% to 83.60. 

Later in the day, the U.S. was to release government data on durable goods orders.