Dollar gains as strong jobs data boosts Fed hike bets

By Karen Brettell

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The U.S. dollar gained against a basket of currencies on Monday after a stronger-than-anticipated jobs report for July on Friday raised expectations that the Federal Reserve is closer to raising interest rates.

Nonfarm payrolls rose by 255,000 jobs in July, more than the Reuters forecast of 180,000 for the month, and wages picked up, with hiring broadly based across the sectors of the economy.

The data helped offset concerns about sluggish economic indicators, including preliminary estimates of weak gross domestic product for the second quarter, released in late July.

“Friday’s employment report was extremely strong and I think that’s hardened the conviction of investors who view the U.S. economy as strongly outperforming other countries,” said Kathy Lien, managing director at BK Asset Management in New York.

The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, gained 0.21 percent to 96.293. The dollar was up 0.62 percent against the Japanese yen at 102.44.

Higher yielding currencies also gained on Monday as investors looked for higher returns. The Australian dollar gained 0.38 percent against the greenback to $0.7652.

Trading this week is expected to be relatively light, with many traders and investors on summer vacations. Friday’s retail sales report for July will be the next major U.S. economic focus.

A speech by Fed Chair Janet Yellen at the central bank’s symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Aug. 26 is also anticipated for any new indications on when an interest rate increase may be likely.

Most economists and investors see a U.S. rate hike as most likely in December, and believe the Fed will be hesitant to act before the U.S. presidential election in November.

“(Payrolls) supported the growth outlook on the U.S. side but doesn’t really move the needle that much on a September rate hike,” said Mark McCormick, North American head of FX strategy at TD Securities in Toronto.

The Fed stands apart from central banks from Japan to Europe, which have been easing as they attempt to stimulate growth and stave off deflation.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is likely to be the next central bank to ease conditions on Thursday, when it is expected to cut rates by 25 basis points to 2.00 percent.

The kiwi was little changed against the U.S. dollar on the day at $0.7137, after earlier weakening to $0.7088.

(Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and Chizu Nomiyama)