1st LD Writethru: U.S. dollar falls despite upbeat data

The U.S. dollar dropped against most major currencies on Thursday despite the positive data of consumer spending and jobless claims from the country.

U.S. Commerce Department said on Thursday that personal income increased 79.0 billion U.S. dollars, or 0.5 percent in May, and disposable personal income rose 65.5 billion dollars, or 0.5 percent.

Meanwhile, personal consumption expenditures soared 105.9 billion dollars, or 0.9 percent in May, the largest monthly gain in nearly six years.

U.S. Labor Department said on Thursday that in the week ending June 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial jobless claims was 271,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level, lower than market consensus of 273,000.

Investors also eyed Greek debt situation. Hopes of unlocking bailout funds for Athens dimmed again when Eurozone finance ministers'meeting on Thursday ended abruptly without reaching a deal. Analysts said time is running out for Greece and creditors to strike a deal before the country has to repay a 1.6-billion- euro to the IMF by the end of this month.

In late New York trading, the euro rose to 1.1203 dollars from 1.1202 dollars in the previous session, and the British pound climbed to 1.5732 dollars from 1.5699 dollars in the previous session. The Australian dollar went up to 0.7741 dollars from 0. 7707 dollars.

The U.S. dollar bought 123.61 Japanese yen, lower than 123.84 yen of the previous session. The U.S. dollar inched up to 0.9364 Swiss francs from 0.9343 Swiss francs, and it decreased to 1.2320 Canadian dollars from 1.2392 Canadian dollars. Endite