NEW YORK, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar declined against most major currencies on Friday on the country's disappointing jobs data.
U.S. Labor Department said on Friday that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 138,000 in May, compared with an average monthly gain of 181,000 over the prior 12 months. The latest reading was well below market consensus of a 185,000-gain.
Wages also grew less than expected, with average hourly earnings rising at a 2.5 percent annualized rate, the report said. The unemployment rate, however, was little changed at 4.3 percent.
The nonfarm payroll report was closely-watched by investors as it is one of the last major data sets released before the Federal Reserve's June monetary policy meeting.
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, decreased 0.48 percent at 96.731 in late trading.
In late New York trading, the euro rose to 1.1277 dollars from 1.1212 dollars in the previous session, and the British pound decreased to 1.2881 dollars from 1.2883 U.S. dollars in the previous session. The Australian dollar increased to 0.7438 dollar from 0.7379 dollar.
The U.S. dollar bought 110.48 Japanese yen, lower than 111.43 yen of the previous session. The U.S. dollar fell to 0.9640 Swiss franc from 0.9715 Swiss franc, and it edged down to 1.3495 Canadian dollars from 1.3507 Canadian dollars. Enditem
