The US dollar held close to its highest level in eight days on Wednesday after American inflation and economic data gave mild support to expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.
The dollar index, which measures the currency against a basket including the yen and the euro, rose 0.21 per cent to 99.13, its strongest reading since 19 August.
Against the yen, the dollar traded at 159.23. The Canadian dollar was steady at 1.388 per dollar. The euro changed hands at 1.1655 dollars, while sterling held at 1.3592 dollars. The Australian dollar gained 0.18 per cent to 0.7181, and the New Zealand dollar edged up 0.1 per cent to 0.5948.
In crypto markets, Bitcoin rose 0.55 per cent to 78,874.60 dollars. Ether gained 1.07 per cent to 2,498.35 dollars.
