US$ falls towards 18-month low with slow jobs growth

New York

THE dollar weakened towards an 18-month low against the yen after data showed that US jobs growth trailed forecasts, adding to speculation that the Federal Reserve policymakers will stick to a gradual pace as they look to raise interest rates.

The decline comes as hedge funds and other large speculators increased wagers on dollar weakness after turning bearish on the currency for the first time since 2014 last month. The greenback strengthened versus currencies of commodity-exporting nations as Thursday's rally by the Australian, C…