The dollar headed for its biggest weekly gain versus major peers since November and precious metals retreated as investors assessed the U.S.-rates outlook before the Federal Reserve meets next week. Most Asian stocks slipped with gold after Chinese lending data as wheat dropped.
The dollar climbed 0.1 percent by 12:28 p.m. in Tokyo, with the yen at an almost six-year low versus the greenback. Gold retreated 0.5 percent, heading for its biggest weekly drop since May, and silver plunged 0.9 percent. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index (MXAP) lost 0.3 percent, set for its longest losing streak in four years. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures were little changed. Wheat was near its lowest price since 2010.
Dollar Rally
The U.S. currency has rallied the last four weeks as U.S. economic reports spurred speculation the Fed will raise interest rates sooner than previously estimated. China’s aggregate financing and money-supply growth missed estimates, while 702.5 billion yuan ($114.5 billion) of new loans were extended in August, close to the 700 billion estimate of economists. Reports on industrial production and retail sales are due tomorrow. Euro-area industrial output is also due, as the latest round of sanctions against Russia take effect.
The yen slid 0.2 percent to 107.36 per dollar after weakening 0.2 percent yesterday in a fourth straight day of declines. Japan’s currency is down 2.1 percent this week, set for its steepest weekly loss since June 2013 and the worst performance among Group of 10 currencies after the Australian dollar. The yen reached 107.39 today, the weakest intraday level since Sept. 22, 2008. Australia’s dollar weakened 0.4 percent, while New Zealand’s currency fell 0.3 percent.