U.S. dollar mixed on economic data

NEW YORK, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar traded mixed against other major currencies on Friday as investors were digesting a batch of economic data from the country.

U.S. total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 148,000 in December, the Labor Department reported Friday, missing market expectations of 190,000. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent, the lowest level in 17 years.

In December, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 9 cents to 26.63 U.S. dollars. Over the year, average hourly earnings have risen by 65 cents, or 2.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced Friday that the goods and services deficit was 50.5 billion dollars in November, up 1.6 billion dollars from October.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, was up 0.10 percent at 91.941 in late trading.

In late New York trading, the euro fell to 1.2050 U.S. dollars from 1.2069 U.S. dollars, and the British pound climbed to 1.3571 U.S. dollars from 1.3548 U.S. dollars. The Australian dollar increased to 0.7868 U.S. dollar from 0.7860 U.S. dollar.

The U.S. dollar bought 113.14 Japanese yen, higher than 112.77 yen of the previous session. The U.S. dollar rose to 0.9755 Swiss franc from 0.9748 Swiss franc, and it edged down to 1.2406 Canadian dollars from 1.2507 Canadian dollars. Enditem