ZCZC
BCN-20
US-FOREX
U.S. dollar declines amid downbeat data
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2019 (BSS/Xinhua) – The U.S. dollar weakened in late
trading on Monday, as investors digested news of falling U.S. homebuilder
confidence and kept a close eye on U.S.-China trade developments.
The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers,
decreased 0.21 percent at 97.7930 in late trading.
In late New York trading, the euro rose to 1.1074 dollars from 1.1052
dollars in the previous session, and the British pound rose to 1.2955 dollars
from 1.2901 U.S. dollars in the previous session. The Australian dollar fell
to 0.6810 dollar from 0.6815 dollar.
The U.S. dollar bought 108.63 Japanese yen, lower than 108.81 Japanese yen
of the previous session. The U.S. dollar was down to 0.9883 Swiss franc from
0.9902 Swiss franc, and it decreased to 1.3204 Canadian dollars from 1.3228
Canadian dollars.
On the data front, a monthly gauge of U.S. homebuilder confidence slipped
slightly this month.
Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes fell
1 point to 70 in November, according to the latest National Association of
Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released Monday.
The safe-haven greenback pulled back following news that Chinese and U.S.
chief trade negotiators hold phone talks during the weekend.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He held a phone conversation at the request of
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven
Mnuchin on Saturday morning. The two sides had constructive discussions on
each other’s core concerns in the “phase one” deal, and agreed to maintain
close communication.
BSS/XINHUA/HR/1200