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The dollar stabilized against a basket of currencies on Friday after peaking at 2.5 weeks tonight, as data pointed to a strong US economy, while the euro was affected by the low manufacturing activity in Europe.
Many financial markets were closed for holidays from Good Friday to Easter.
The currency markets remain open but the volume is expected to be low.
The dollar index, which measures the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, rose to 97,485 overnight, its highest level since April 2. He traded at 97.392 on Friday, down 0.1% on the day.
US retail sales recorded the largest gain in a year and a half in March as households boosted purchases of motor vehicles and a range of goods, the latest indication that economic growth resumed in the first quarter after a false start.
The strength of the economy has been reinforced by other data released on Thursday indicating that the number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits has fallen to its lowest level for nearly 50 years the week last.
"In addition to recent increases in Chinese data, the latest retail sales figures in the US have helped dispel investors' concerns about the global economy." The situation is rather calm because of the holidays. of Easter, "said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management.
The situation was less optimistic in the eurozone, with data on Thursday indicating that activity in the German manufacturing sector was contracted for the fourth consecutive month in April.
The euro fell against the dollar at 1.1266, its lowest level in 1.5 weeks, after the worst-than-expected data from Europe's largest economy.
The single currency was up 0.1% against the US dollar at $ 1.1222, up 0.1% on the day.
In contrast, weak European data pushed the yen to its highest level of the week, at 111.765 Yen, at some point on Thursday. The yen reached 111.935 yen for the last time, in the recent narrow range.
The publication of the report of the special advocate Robert Mueller on the role of Russia in the 2016 US election has had only little impact on the markets.
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