Speculation about a Fed taper this year gathered pace after U.S. retail sales unexpectedly increased in August, data showed on Thursday, rising 0.7% from the previous month despite expectations of a 0.8% fall. The dollar was up 0.2% against the Swiss franc at 0.9299 francs, after earlier hitting a five-month high. The dollar rose 0.3% to 110.025 yen. The dollar also rose to a two-week high against the offshore yuan and was last up 0.1% at 6.4642. The British pound fell 0.2% to $1.3758 as UK retail sales undershot expectations.

Source: MetroXpress September 17, 2021 04:20 UTC