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Dollar steady after hitting lows Dollar steady after hitting lows
(about 8 hours later)
The US dollar held near record lows against the euro, ahead of US data that is expected to give hints on how deep the current US credit crisis is. The US dollar held near record lows against the euro, as data showed the US economy was feeling the strain from the housing slump and credit squeeze.
The dollar was steady at $1.3870 against the euro in Asian trade, after dropping as low as $1.3927 on Thursday. The dollar was steady at $1.3877 against the euro in Asian trade, after dropping as low as $1.3927 on Thursday.
Traders are awaiting US retail sales data which should indicate whether the credit crunch is affecting consumers. US retail sales grew by less than expected in August - a sign that the credit crunch is affecting consumers.
The dollar has weakened this week amid beliefs the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates to reassure the market.The dollar has weakened this week amid beliefs the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates to reassure the market.
Economic worriesEconomic worries
Investor sentiment remains jittery ahead of the US sales data, as it could hint at further signs of a slowdown in the US economy - particularly after a surprise slump in US jobs figures last week. The slowdown in spending, and a drop in industrial production shown by separate data, are being taken by many analysts as further signs of a slowdown in the US economy - particularly after a surprise slump in US jobs figures last week.
Analysts feared the loss of 4,000 jobs in August meant that the recent market turmoil had spread to the wider US economy.Analysts feared the loss of 4,000 jobs in August meant that the recent market turmoil had spread to the wider US economy.
Forecasts predict that retail sales will have risen 0.4% in August from 0.3% in July, as household spending holds up.
But experts said the news would not be enough to calm wider fears about the current global credit crisis.
"A good figure is not enough to change the picture. There will be more adjustments in the housing market and that may affect consumption in coming months," said Nikko Citigroup currency economist Masafumi Yamamoto.
Nerves
Meanwhile, investors are expected to remain on tenterhooks early next week as they await a decision from the US Federal Reserve on interest rates.Meanwhile, investors are expected to remain on tenterhooks early next week as they await a decision from the US Federal Reserve on interest rates.
Expectations are mounting that the Fed could trim rates by as much as 50 basis points to 5.25%, in an effort to stabilise financial markets and ease consumer worries.Expectations are mounting that the Fed could trim rates by as much as 50 basis points to 5.25%, in an effort to stabilise financial markets and ease consumer worries.
At the heart of the dollar's decline have been problems in the US housing market, caused by the Fed increasing interest rates in order to slow accelerating inflation.At the heart of the dollar's decline have been problems in the US housing market, caused by the Fed increasing interest rates in order to slow accelerating inflation.
The increases have led to higher borrowing costs, triggering an increase in the number of people defaulting on loans, especially in the sub-prime mortgage market.The increases have led to higher borrowing costs, triggering an increase in the number of people defaulting on loans, especially in the sub-prime mortgage market.
The sub-prime sector specialises in lending to people with poor or non-existent credit histories.The sub-prime sector specialises in lending to people with poor or non-existent credit histories.
This, in turn, has spread to global credit markets, as many of the sub-prime mortgages were repackaged and sold on to European and UK banks as investment assets.This, in turn, has spread to global credit markets, as many of the sub-prime mortgages were repackaged and sold on to European and UK banks as investment assets.