TOKYO (Reuters) – The dollar fell, with investors worried that U.S. payrolls could be weak, after an unexpected decline in the U.S. manufacturing sector fueled fears of a slowdown in the world’s largest economy that favored the traditional ‘safe haven currencies’.
Around 11.40, the yen was strengthening, pushing the dollar down 0.3% to 148.87, in the wake of the Bank of Japan’s decision to raise rates, with a rise to 148.51 overnight for the first time since mid-March . The Swiss franc gained about 0.2% to 0.8707 per dollar, hitting its highest since early February.
The yen and Swiss franc were among the week’s best-performing currencies, with gains of nearly 3% and 1.1%, respectively.
The dollar fell 0.3% to settle at 104.10.
The US economic outlook will face a major test today with the release of monthly jobs data.
The pound was little moved at $1.2734, after falling as low as $1.2713 for the first time since July 3.
The euro rose 0.3% to $1.0823, after hitting a three-week low of $1.07775 overnight.
(Translated by Chiara Scarciglia, editing by Antonella Cinelli)