NEW YORK, Jan 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar fell against most major currencies on Thursday as some latest U.S. economic reports were weaker than expected.

    U.S. retail sales declined by 0.3 percent in December, according to the Commerce Department. Analysts have forecasted an increase of 0.5 percent. Core retail sales, excluding autos, gas and building materials, fell by 0.3 percent after four months of solid gains. However, the gain of retail sales in November was revised up to 1.8 percent from 1.3 percent previously estimated. November core sales increases were revised up from 1.1 percent to 1.8 percent.

    The report didn't suggests a fundamental change in the outlook for consumer spending and continue to expect moderate positive consumption growth, analysts said. It is expected that real consumer spending is still on track to expand by just under 2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009.

    Initial claims for jobless benefits rose to 444,000 in the weekending Jan. 9 from 433,000 previously, the Labor Department reported. A separate report showed that the U.S. import price index was unchanged month-to-month in December following a strong gain in November.

    The European Central Bank (ECB) decided Thursday to leave key interest rate unchanged at 1.0 percent. There was no material change to monetary policy of the bank. The ECB believes that the Eurozone will grow at only a "moderate" pace in 2010, with the performance "uneven."

    ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet said the decision to keep rates unchanged was unanimous. He reiterated that a strong U.S. currency is important. Trichet also said Greece won't win any special treatment from European officials, adding to worries over the country in serious fiscal problems. The euro fell against other currencies on his comments.

    The euro bought 1.4504 dollars in late New York trading compared with 1.4512 dollars it bought late Wednesday. The pound rose to 1.6332 dollars from 1.6279 dollars.

    The dollar fell to 1.0229 Canadian dollars from 1.0306 Canadian dollars, and fell to 1.0181 Swiss francs from 1.0185 Swiss francs. It fell to 90.98 Japanese yen from 91.45 Japanese yen.

Special Report:  Global Financial Crisis