Yahoo Finance Dollar Posts Broad Gains, Hits 7-Week Highs
Investing.com - The dollar posted broad gains against a basket of the other major currencies on Monday, hitting seven week highs, boosted by rising U.S. bond yields.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a basket of six major currencies, was up 0.57% to 90.60 by 10:04 AM ET (14:04 GMT), the highest level since March 1.
The yield 10-year U.S. Treasury notes moved closer to the 3% level on Monday, as strengthening inflation prospects added to expectations for a faster rate of monetary tightening from the Federal Reserve.
The dollar received an additional boost after data showing that U.S. existing home sales rose strongly in March, in what was a second straight monthly increase.
The dollar rose to more than two-month highs against the safe haven yen, with USD/JPY advancing 0.72% to 108.42.
The Japanese currency is often sought in times of market turmoil and political tensions and tends to decline as investor confidence returns.
North Korea said on Saturday it was suspending nuclear and missile tests and scrapping its nuclear test site ahead of planned summits with South Korea and the U.S.
Besides concerns over geopolitical risks, worries over a trade spat between the U.S. and China also appeared to be easing.
The euro slid to two-month lows, with EUR/USD down 0.58% to 1.2217.
The single currency failed to find support after data showing that while activity in the euro area service sector picked up in April manufacturing growth slowed to the lowest level in 14 months.
The decline was due, in part, to the stronger euro hitting export growth.
Sterling was also lower, with GBP/USD down 0.44% to 1.3941 after ending the previous week down 1.71%.
The pound fell last week after Bank of England Governor Mark Carney indicated that the central bank may not raise interest rates in May after recent weaker-than-expected wage growth and inflation data.
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