2018.08.0307:06:00UTC+00Euro Lower As Eurozone Private Sector Growth Slows As Estimated

The euro was lower against its major counterparts in the European session on Friday, after a data showed that euro area private sector growth eased in July, ceding most of the momentum gained in the prior survey month.

Data from IHS Markit showed that the composite output index fell to 54.3 in July, in line with flash estimate, from 54.9 in June.

The services Purchasing Managers' Index dropped to 54.2 from 55.2 in June. The flash score was 54.4.

Germany's final composite PMI came in at 55.0, up from 54.8 in June but below the flash 55.2. At the same time, the services PMI declined to 54.1 from 54.5 a month ago. The flash reading was 54.4.

Meanwhile, data from Eurostat showed that Eurozone retail sales increased for the second straight month in June.

Retail sales grew at a steady pace of 0.3 percent on month in June driven by food sales. Sales were expected to climb 0.4 percent.

Investors looked ahead to the release of the U.S. jobs data for July later in the day, with economists expecting employment to increase by 190,000 jobs in the month. The jobless rate is expected to edge down to 3.9 percent.

The currency held steady against its major counterparts in the Asian session.

The euro weakened to 1.1562 against the greenback, its lowest since June 29. Next key support for the euro is likely seen around the 1.14 level.

The single currency slipped to a weekly low of 129.21 against the yen, while touching 1.1519 against the franc, which was its lowest since June 28. The euro is seen finding support around 128.00 against the yen and 1.14 against the franc.

The 19-nation currency retreated to 0.8896 against the British pound, from a high of 0.8919 touched at 3:30 am ET. The next likely support for the euro is seen around the 0.88 level.

Survey data from IHS Markit showed that British service sector growth eased more-than-expected in July to the weakest level in three months.

The IHS Markit/Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply Purchasing Managers' Index dropped to 53.5 in July from 55.1 in June. The index was forecast to drop to 54.7.

The euro weakened to 1.7179 against the kiwi, from a 10-day high of 1.7228 hit at 3:30 am ET. On the downside, 1.70 is possibly seen as the next support level for the euro.

The common currency slipped to more than a 2-month low of 1.5066 against the loonie, after rising to 1.5094 at 5:30 pm ET. If the euro falls further, 1.49 is likely seen as its next support level.

The euro fell back to 1.5723 against the aussie, heading to pierce a weekly low of 1.5720 hit at 9:30 pm ET. The euro is likely to challenge support around the 1.55 level.

Looking ahead, U.S. jobs data and ISM non-manufacturing composite PMI for July and trade data for June, as well as Canadian trade data for the same month are scheduled for release in the New York session.