The dollar rose on Wednesday helped by upbeat US data even as continued uncertainty about the outlook for a preliminary US-China trade agreement and a shortened holiday week in the United States kept currency moves muted.

US economic growth picked up slightly in the third quarter, rather than slowing as initially reported, amid a stronger pace of inventory accumulation and a less steep decline in business investment.

Separately, data showed new orders for key US-made capital goods increased by the most in nine months in October and shipments rebounded.

"The dollar is definitely supported by the data," said Alfonso Esparza, senior currency analyst at OANDA in Toronto.

The US Federal Reserve has cut rates three times this year and signaled its rate-cut cycle might be at a pause. A show of strength in US economy is giving traders confidence the central bank will keep borrowing costs where they are for now.

The dollar index, which compares the greenback against six other major currencies, was up 0.17% at 98.415.

The index pared gains after data showed, excluding volatile food and energy components, that the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index edged up 0.1% last month after being unchanged in September.

The yen, usually bought when investors turn nervous, has faltered in recent sessions as equity markets soared. On Wednesday, the dollar gained 0.31% to 109.37 yen.

Sterling was little-changed on the day, recovering from early losses following the third consecutive poll showing a dwindling Conservative lead before Britain's Dec. 12 general election.

Copyright Reuters, 2019

Comments

Comments are closed.