The dollar index held above 100 on Friday, poised to rise nearly 1% for the week amid expectations that the Federal Reserve will refrain from cutting interest rates in December, with a mixed US jobs report having little impact on the outlook. The delayed nonfarm payrolls report, released Thursday, showed employment growth accelerated in September, but the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, the highest in four years. This will be the final labor market data ahead of the December FOMC meeting, reinforcing bets that the Fed will maintain its current policy as it navigates economic uncertainty exacerbated by the US government shutdown. Fed Governor Michael Barr also noted the central bank must proceed cautiously on additional rate cuts with inflation still above target. The dollar is set to finish the week stronger against all other major currencies, gaining most versus the yen, kiwi and aussie.
