Dollar wavers, risk-sensitive currencies boosted by China optimism

By Ankur Banerjee

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -The dollar wobbled on Friday and looked set for a third straight month of declines as investors weighed U.S. data to gauge the pace of interest rate cuts, while China's spree of stimulus measures kept risk-sensitive currencies aloft.

The yen fell to 145.57 in early trading, its lowest since Sept. 3, as Japan's ruling party holds one of the most unpredictable leadership contests in decades on Friday.

Markets braced for the victory of hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi, a vocal opponent of further interest rate hikes in Japan among the three frontrunners.

Results from the first round of voting are expected during market hours in the Asian afternoon, and a runoff election will likely follow.

Data on Friday showed core inflation in Japan's capital matched the central bank's 2% target in September, a sign the economy is making progress in meeting the criteria for further rate hikes.

Meanwhile, China's spree of stimulus measures this week continued to boost risk appetite, lifting stocks, commodities and risk-sensitive currencies. Steps so far have included lowering the amount of cash banks must hold as reserves by 50 basis points to free up more funds for lending and a slew of cuts in key interest rates.

Sterling was a shade lower at $1.33935 but remained close to the 2-1/2 year high it touched this week, while the Australian and New Zealand dollars also held near multi-year highs due to China stimulus plans.

The Aussie eased to $0.6880, but was close to the 18-month high it touched on Wednesday. The kiwi last fetched $0.63065, not far from its nine-month high. [AUD/]

On Thursday, China's leaders pledged to support the struggling economy through "forceful" interest rate cuts and adjustments to fiscal and monetary policies, stoking expectations for more stimulus.

The remarks, which included guidance to officials to support household consumption and stabilise the troubled real estate market, came in an official summary of a monthly meeting of top Communist Party officials, the Politburo.

"It certainly appears that property and the economy have become an urgent priority for the Politburo judging by the timing of the announcements and the specific mention of fiscal measures," said Jon Withaar, who manages an Asia special situations hedge fund at Pictet Asset Management.

"We are positive on the change in language but want to see specific details to be able to make a informed decision about the efficacy of such measures."

DRIFTING DOLLAR

Data on Thursday suggested the U.S. labour market remained fairly healthy, while other reports showed corporate profits increased at a more robust pace than initially thought in the second quarter, highlighting an upbeat economic outlook.

The dollar, however, remained on the back foot as traders priced in 73 basis points (bps) of easing for the rest of the year, with a 51% chance for another outsized half-percentage-point cut, according to CME Group's FedWatch Tool.

The Federal Reserve has recently signalled a shift in focus away from inflation and towards keeping the labour market healthy, delivering a larger-than-usual 50 bps interest rate cut last week.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies including the yen and the euro, was last at 100.69, not far from the 14-month low of 100.21 it touched on Wednesday. The index is on course for fourth straight week of declines and third monthly loss in a row.

The euro was steady at $1.11685, just below the 14-month high of $1.1214 it touched on Wednesday.

Ryan Brandham, head of global capital markets for North America at Validus Risk Management, said data indicated the U.S. economy was growing at a strong pace, and while the labour market was slowing, market fears of a more drastic downturn could be overblown.

"This suggests a more cautious approach to interest rate cuts, prioritizing a balance between the Fed's employment mandate and keeping an eye on inflation risks."

Investors will keep an eye on the personal consumption expenditures price index due to be released later on Friday, but analysts do not expect the data to materially shift market pricing for U.S. rates unless there is a huge miss.

(Reporting by Ankur Banerjee in Singapore; Editing by Jamie Freed and Kim Coghill)