NEW YORK (AP) — Stronger economic data from the U.S. and more signs of weakness in Europe pushed the dollar higher against most major currencies Tuesday.
The U.S. Commerce Department said retail sales rose 0.8 percent in July from June. The increase comes after three months of declines, including a 0.7 percent drop in sales in June.
In Europe, the economies of the 17 countries that use the euro shrank at a quarterly rate of 0.2 percent in the second quarter. The economy of the European Union, which has 27 countries, shrank by the same amount.
The euro fell to $1.2330 in late trading Tuesday from $1.2336 late Monday.
The dollar rose to 78.79 Japanese yen from 78.35 yen and to 0.9741 Swiss franc from 0.9737 Swiss franc.
The dollar was mixed against other currencies.
The British pound was practically unchanged at $1.5690 from $1.5689.
The dollar fell to 99.13 Canadian cents from 99.24 Canadian cents.
