The U.S. dollar traded lower Friday, with evidence of poor retail sales serving as the focus for thin post-holiday trading. The dollar index , which measures the currency versus six major counterparts, fell 0.1% to 80.814. The euro rose 0.5% to $1.4088. MasterCard Inc.'s SpendingPulse unit showed total retail sales, excluding automobiles, fell from the year-earlier period by 5.5% in November and 8% in December through Christmas Eve. The Japanese yen also fell 0.5% versus the euro, to 127.41 yen, as reports out of Japan showed industrial output fell at a record pace and unemployment increased. European stock markets were closed, though U.S. equity and bond markets were open.
