The dollar edged up against a basket of major peers on Monday as data showing slower US jobs growth did little to dent expectations for further Federal Reserve interest rate increases this year.
The dollar’s index against a basket of six major currencies rose 0.1 per cent to 92.051, up from its Jan. 2 low of 91.751, which was its weakest level since Sept. 20, reports Reuters.
US nonfarm payrolls increased by 148,000 jobs last month, after a surge of 252,000 in November, according to data on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a December rise of 190,000.
Initially, the dollar slipped after the payrolls figures, but later regained some composure.
The US currency had begun 2018 on the defensive, after the dollar index fell about 9.9 per cent in 2017, its weakest performance since 2003.
Against the yen, the dollar firmed about 0.1 per cent to 113.20 yen, having traded in a range of roughly 112.00 yen to 113.75 yen over the past month.
The euro held steady at $1.2027. Having started the year on a firm footing, the common currency rose to $1.2089 on Thursday, nearing a 2-1/2 year peak of $1.2092 set in early September.
The Canadian dollar last traded at C$1.2400 per US dollar, up 0.1 per cent from late US trade on Friday.
