Asian currencies ended the week lower against the dollar as better-than-expected US economic data eased fears of a slowing economy and boosted confidence in the greenback.
JAPANESE YEN: The yen fell against the dollar in Tokyo as upbeat US economic data boosted market confidence in the greenback, dealers said.
But the dollar's upside is expected to be capped by persistent speculation that China will soon revalue the yuan, a move seen likely to bolster other Asian currencies.
The yen stood at 106.90-92 to the dollar at 5:00 pm (0800 GMT) Friday, down from 104.74-76 to the dollar a week earlier.
The dollar has been supported by the release of stronger-than-expected job data, narrower-than-expected US trade deficit data and solid US retail sales figures since last weekend.
"They eased fears of a slowing US economy," Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi chief forex analyst Kikuko Takeda said on Friday.
But there is speculation that China will widen the yuan's floating range when it expands its foreign exchange trading system on Wednesday, the economic journal Nihon Keizai Shimbun said on its Internet edition.
The daily said the market would also focus on Japan's January-March gross domestic product to be announced on Tuesday and a Bank of Japan monetary policy meeting on Thursday and Friday.
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR: The Australian dollar ended the week lower on Friday as the greenback rose on the back of good trade data, which prompted expectations that the United States economy had strengthened, analysts said.
The currency ended the week at 76.54 US cents, down from the previous week's 77.95 US cents.
But the Australian dollar had held its own, despite optimism generated by robust April US trade figures, Westpac strategists said.
National Australia Bank currency strategists said while much of the Australian dollar's slide this week had been driven by speculation and a change in fundamental sentiment, it could slip further to around 75.60 US cents.
Meanwhile, the US Federal Reserve is expected to continue to raise interest rates as growth continues.
"This is very positive for the US dollar," NAB strategists said in a market note.
NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR: The New Zealand dollar ended the week at 71.62 US cents, down from 73.45 the previous week. The kiwi was hit by the strengthening of the greenback after stronger than expected retail sales, employment and trade data during the week, dealers said.
New Zealand's currency was also pressured late in the week by an unexpected rise in the local unemployment rate and softer than expected retail activity.
HONG KONG DOLLAR: Hong Kong's US-pegged dollar was at 7.7989 on Friday, from 7.7925 the previous week.
SINGAPORE DOLLAR: The US dollar was at 1.6545 Singapore dollars on Friday from 1.6391 the previous week.
INDONESIAN RUPIAH: The Indonesian rupiah closed trading Friday at 9,480/9,490 to the dollar compared to the previous week's 9,483/9,488.
PHILIPPINE PESO: The Philippines peso traded lower at 54.20 to the dollar on Friday afternoon, compared with 54.03 the previous week.
SOUTH KOREAN WON: The won closed at 1,001.50 won to the dollar Friday, compared with 998.0 won a week earlier, reflecting the rise of the greenback against the yen and the increase in demand for paying for imports.
Dealers said the dollar was likely to move within a limited range of 999 won and 1,004 won in the coming week unless jitters over the appreciation of the Chinese yuan and the stand-off over North Korea's resurface.
TAIWAN DOLLAR: The Taiwan dollar declined over the week to end at 31.315 against the greenback Friday compared with 31.160 a week ago.
THAI BAHT: The baht fell slightly against the US dollar over the past week in line with regional currencies, especially the Japanese yen, dealers said.
The Thai unit closed Friday at 39.54-57 baht to the dollar compared with the previous week's close of 39.41-43.
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