Investing.com - The dollar slid lower against the other major currencies on Friday despite a solid U.S. employment report for July as investors took profits following the greenback’s recent run higher.
The Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 215,000 jobs last month, slightly lower than forecasts for an increase of 223,000, but still consistent with strong employment growth.
The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.3%, in line with expectations.
Hourly earnings, a component of the jobs report that the Federal Reserve has said must rise, ticked up 0.2%, also matching forecasts after stalling in the previous month.
The data was seen as reinforcing expectations for higher U.S. interest rates.
In the past three months the dollar has been boosted by investor expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise short term interest rates in the coming months, possibly as early as September.
The dollar rose to two-month highs of 125.07 against the yen, before sliding 0.37% to 124.27 in late trade.
The euro was last up 0.37% for the day at 1.0964 after falling to lows of 1.0856 immediately following the jobs data.
The dollar pared back gains against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF last at 0.9837 after rising to 9884 earlier, the most since March 20.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, eased to 97.66, after touching three-month highs of 98.42 earlier. The index ended the week with gains of 0.18%.
The Canadian dollar slid lower against the greenback on Friday as domestic employment data underlined the diverging monetary policies of the two countries.
The Canadian economy added 6,600 jobs in July, more than forecast but the report also showed that the number of people in full time employment declined.
USD/CAD was up 0.18% to 1.3133 late Friday from Thursday’s close of 1.3108.
In the week ahead, investors will be looking to Thursday’s U.S. retail sales data for a further indication on the durability of the economic recovery. Speeches by Fed officials on Monday will also be in focus.
Elsewhere, the euro zone is to publish a flash estimate of second quarter economic growth on Friday.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, August 10
Japan is to release data on the current account.
Federal Reserve Governor Stanley Fischer and Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart are to speak; their comments will be closely watched.
Tuesday, August 11
Australia is to release private sector data on business confidence.
In the euro zone, the ZEW Institute is to report on German economic sentiment.
The U.S. is to release preliminary data on unit labor costs.
Wednesday, August 12
The Bank of Japan is to publish the minutes of its latest monetary policy meeting, giving investors insight into how officials view the economy and their policy options.
Australia is to release figures on labor costs and a report on consumer sentiment.
China is to publish data on industrial production and fixed asset investment.
The U.K. is to publish its latest employment report.
Thursday, August 13
Japan is to publish data on core machinery orders.
Switzerland is to report on producer price inflation.
The European Central Bank is to publish the minutes of its latest policy meeting.
Canada is to release a report on new house price inflation.
The U.S. is to produce data on retail sales, initial jobless claims and import prices.
Friday, August 14
New Zealand is to produce data on retail sales.
The euro zone is to publish preliminary data on second quarter economic growth as well as revised data on consumer inflation.
Canada is to report on manufacturing sales.
The U.S. is to release data on producer prices, industrial production and consumer sentiment to round up the week.