Early trade in New York: Dollar eases against basket of currencies

NEW YORK: The dollar eased against a basket of major currencies on Friday following the final US presidential debate, with fading prospects for a coronavirus relief package before the Nov. 3 elections pulling the greenback toward a weekly decline.

The dollar index was last down 0.13%, bringing it nearly 1% lower for the week. Despite the data, the euro edged higher 0.2% against the greenback to $1.1844. The euro also firmed after Reuters reported that France was laying the groundwork for a fisheries compromise to help the European Union strike a Brexit deal with Britain.

Sterling also gained on the report, before easing back to 1.3065, down 0.12% against the dollar. The safe-haven yen dipped 0.15% to 104.76 per dollar following comments on Thursday by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi that stimulus talks had made progress.

The Chinese yuan ticked down 0.11% against the dollar after an official at China's foreign exchange regulator said it has been more stable than expected, suggesting authorities are not too worried about its recent rise. The yuan has gained about 7.5% since the end of May as China led the global coronavirus recovery.