The dollar index (DXY00) on Thursday climbed to a 2-week high, finishing up by 0.29%. The dollar garnered support from Thursday's as-expected US April retail sales report, signaling signs of a resilient US economy. Also, signs of progress in US-China trade negotiations are supportive of the dollar after Reuters reported that the US and China are weighing a potential framework under which each country identifies about $30 billion in goods on which tariffs could be eased without threatening national security interests. The dollar added to its gains on comments from Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid, who said the fundamentals of the US economy are sound.
US weekly initial unemployment claims rose +12,000 to 211,000, showing a slightly weaker labor market than expectations of 205,000.
