Dollar broadly steadies in London

03 Apr, 2007

The dollar was broadly steady against major currencies on Monday as investors awaited key US data this week for insight on when the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates this year.
The euro was unfazed after a survey showed growth in the eurozone manufacturing sector slowed slightly in March - doing little to change expectations the European Central Bank would raise rates as early as June.
The yen shrugged off Japan's quarterly tankan survey showing business confidence deteriorating for the first time in a year, as it did nothing to change expectations that the Bank of Japan would leave rates steady after lifting them in February.
Major data focus for Monday was on a survey by the US Institute for Supply and Management (ISM), expected to show that growth in the US manufacturing sector slowed in March. Later in the week the closely-watched US jobs report is also due.
Analysts said the US data could yield further insight on possible timing of a US rate cut this year, although major influence would probably come from Friday's jobs figures. "There might be a bit of an upside surprise to the ISM after last week's strong Chicago manufacturing data but that in itself probably won't change the bigger picture in the US," Barclays Capital currency strategist Adarsh Sinha said.
By 1155 GMT, the euro was steady on the day at $1.3365. The pair rose close to a recent two-year high above $1.34 last week after Washington said it will impose duties on imports of coated paper from China, raising fears of protectionism between the two countries.
The US currency was broadly flat at 117.65 yen while the euro was also barely changed at 157.28 yen. Tokyo traders had said the market was thin on the first day of the new Japanese business year. Europe will have a shorter week due to Easter holidays.
The Australian dollar, the day's best performer, hit a 10-year high of US $0.8163 on a stronger-than-expected rise in Australian retail sales in February. The data heightened risk that the Reserve Bank of Australia raising interest rates as early as Wednesday, when the central bank is due to announce a rate decision.
The eurozone Purchasing Managers Index fell to 55.4 in March, a 13-month low. The Fed is expected to cut rates from the current 5.25 percent while the ECB is set to raise rates to 4 percent this year.

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