The U.S. trade deficit narrowed unexpectedly in January after falling oil imports, government data showed, while the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits was slightly higher than expected in the last week, suggesting a slow recovery in the labor market.
"The data released this morning failed to move the market and especially against the euro, the dollar we have seen operating in a narrow range during the week," said John Doyle, currency strategist at Tempus Consulting in Washington.
"The dollar really is struggling to find direction and I think investors are likely to change their attention to retail sales data tomorrow," he added.
The Commerce Department will release on Friday retail sales data for February, and economists polled by Reuters expect that this indicates a decline of 0.2 percent.
In afternoon trading, the euro was unchanged at $ 1.3665. In the session, the euro recorded a high of $ 1.3687 and a low of $ 1.3620, according to Reuters data.
The euro briefly came under pressure after German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said on Thursday the country's first priority was to restore confidence Hellenic financial markets, and that the first steps of the indebted country were a good start.
"Confidence in markets and the euro can only be recovered when Greece is in place on their own," Merkel said.
The dollar fell 0.1 percent to 90.45 yen on Wednesday after touching a maximum of two weeks.
The Swiss franc fell after the Swiss National Bank said it would act "decisively" to counter an excessive rise in the currency.
The euro climbed to a session high against the franc to 1.4630 francs, up from 1.4610 francs shortly before the announcement. Subsequently, the euro changed hands at 1.4615 francs.
The dollar was close to 1.0692 francs, virtually flat compared to its close on Wednesday.
(Additional reporting by Nick Olivari)





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