Euro nears one-month high against dollar

The euro hovered near a one-month high against the dollar after data suggested the prospects for higher interest rates have lessened…

The euro hovered near a one-month high against the dollar after data suggested the prospects for higher interest rates have lessened in the United States but risen in the euro zone.

The euro hit its highs in the previous session after the euro zone manufacturing index for June showed its best reading in six years, while separate data showed US factory activity in the same month grew at the slowest pace in 10 months.

The stronger-than-expected production data for Europe supported expectations that the European Central Bank (ECB) could accelerate the pace of rate hikes.

In contrast, the US figures suggested that the world's largest economy may be slowing down, feeding speculation that the Federal Reserve could be ready to pause in its two-year tightening campaign.

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The US central bank followed its 17th straight rate increase last week with a statement saying slower economic growth could help contain inflationary pressures.

For its part, the ECB is seen leaving rates on hold at its policy meeting this week, but many in the market are betting on a rate rise in August, following the bank's hike to 2.75 per cent last month.

As of this morning, the euro was little changed at $1.2805 after rising as high as $1.2823 yesterday, its highest since June 7th.

The single currency was also nearly flat at 146.80 yen, in sight of the all-time high of 147.05 yen struck on trading platform EBS in the previous session.

The dollar edged down to 114.60 yen from around 114.70 yen in late New York trade, dented as Japanese exporters stepped up to sell the US currency.