• The dollar drifted on Thursday as impact from the Federal Reserve's policy meeting minutes and supportive comments from a top U.S. official faded, while the Australian dollar slipped in the wake of downbeat economic data.
The dollar index .DXY against a basket of six major currencies inched up 0.1 percent to 101.340 after falling by roughly the same amount the previous day. It had moved between a one-week high of 101.720 and a low of 101.170 on Wednesday.
• US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said a strong dollar signaled confidence in the American economy and that the currency's appreciation over a longer horizon is "a good thing," echoing a policy in place for more than two decades.
• China's property prices will remain stable in the first quarter, housing minister Chen Zhenggao said on Thursday, adding the government has the capacity and methods to stabilize the market.
The vice housing minister told reporters separately that preparatory work was now being done for a nationwide property tax, but he did not provide further details.
• Oil futures climbed nearly 1 percent on Thursday after data showed a surprise decline in U.S. crude stocks as imports fell, supporting the view that a global glut is ending.
The U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude April contract CLc1 rose 41 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $54.00 a barrel by 0743 GMT.
Brent crude LCOc1 was up 40 cents, or 0.7 percent, at $56.24, although both benchmarks were still well within recent tight ranges.
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