US$ ekes out gains aided by US rate hike view

London

THE US dollar stayed close to a nearly four-month high against a basket of currencies on Monday, after steady US jobs growth backed expectations that the US Federal Reserve could raise interest rates in September.

Commodity-related currencies like the Australian and New Zealand dollars fell afresh after weekend data raised concerns about a slowing Chinese economy. The dollar index was up at 97.639, after rising as high as 98.334 on Friday, its highest since April 23, after data showed US non-farm payrolls rose 215,000 last month.