The U.S. Dollar Index traded around 101.23 in early Asian trading, rising for a fourth consecutive day. Its advance slowed to about 0.2% on Thursday, down from 0.5% the previous day, and the index was up roughly 1.1% for the week, matching the prior week’s pace.
U.S. Treasury yields climbed, with the 30‑year yield reaching its highest level since June 2004 and the benchmark 10‑year yield hitting its highest point in nearly two decades. Weekly initial jobless claims fell by 1,000 to 197,000, below the 201,000 estimate in a Reuters poll.
The Federal Reserve had raised rates by 25 basis points the previous week to a range of 3.75%‑4.00%.
In the foreign‑exchange market, the USD/JPY pair was around 158.46, down 0.3%. The yen weakened as far as 159.04 on Thursday, its weakest level since September 2, and approached the closely watched 160‑per‑dollar level, reviving intervention risks. The Bank of Japan’s September 18 policy meeting had accelerated its tightening cycle, though dissent was noted on the board.
The Australian dollar was the biggest weekly loser against the U.S. dollar, falling 1.6% according to DBS. Australia’s unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in August, the highest since 2021. Specific spot rates included AUD/USD near $0.7014, NZD/USD near $0.5659, USD/CNY at 6.7133 (up for a second day after three sessions below 6.70), USD/KRW at 1,361.75 (down 0.3%), USD/IDR at 17,930.1 (up 0.3%), USD/INR little changed at 96.075, USD/MYR at 4.0735 (down 0.3%), and USD/SGD around 1.2791.
Oil prices rose almost 4% in volatile trade after a Houthi missile attack on Saudi Arabia, though gains eased following reports that the United States and Iran discussed reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
