The dollar made slight gains after US data showed improved consumer sentiment in September. The preliminary reading of the University of Michigan’s index of consumer confidence came to 59.5 in September, up from 58.6 the previous month. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a preliminary reading for September of 60.0.
The dollar index, which measures the value of the US currency against a basket of six currencies including the euro, fell 0.1 percent on the day to 109.68.
The index reached its highest level in two decades when it recorded 110.79 earlier this month. The index rose 0.6 percent during the week and about 15 percent this year so far.
Investors are largely anticipating a rate hike of 75 basis points at next week’s Federal Reserve meeting and possibly as much as 100 basis points.
In the cryptocurrency market, Ether fell to its lowest level since late July and was last down 2.8 percent, and Bitcoin was last down 0.47 percent to $19,598.
Earlier, the dollar’s rise pushed the yuan in trading outside the mainland below the level of seven against the dollar, for the first time in more than two years, last night.
Similarly, the yuan within the mainland broke through the same barrier shortly after the markets opened Friday. Data showed that China’s economy was surprisingly resilient in August, with factory production and retail sales growing more than expected. But the growing stagnation in the real estate sector affected the outlook.
The pound fell against the dollar again, reaching its lowest level in 37 years at $1.1351. And it fell in the latest trading 0.5% to 1.1416 dollars, while the euro rose 0.1% to 1.0008 dollars.
The dollar also fell 0.4 percent against the yen to 142.87, but ended the week up 0.2 percent, achieving gains for the fifth consecutive week.
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