NEW YORK, April 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. dollar increased in late trading on Thursday, as the U.S. economy got a boost by estimated surging retail sales, while the euro dropped due to downbeat eurozone economic data.

Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for March reached 514.1 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 1.6 percent from the previous month, and 3.6 percent above March 2018, the U.S. Census Bureau said Thursday.

In contrast, the euro was dampened by signs of weakening manufacturing and services sectors in the region, causing concerns over a slower pace of eurozone economic growth.

The IHS Markit Eurozone Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell from 51.6 in March to 51.3 in April, reaching a three-month low. A reading above 50.0 indicates an increase in activity.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, increased 0.46 percent at 97.4566 in late trading.

In late New York trading, the euro fell to 1.1230 dollars from 1.1298 dollars in the previous session, and the British pound was down to 1.2988 dollars from 1.3038 U.S. dollars in the previous session. The Australian dollar decreased to 0.7146 dollar from 0.7169 dollar.

The U.S. dollar bought 111.94 Japanese yen, lower than 112.06 Japanese yen of the previous session. The U.S. dollar was up to 1.0153 Swiss francs from 1.0104 Swiss francs, and it was up to 1.3386 Canadian dollars from 1.3343 Canadian dollars. Enditem

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