The dollar remained higher against most of its major rivals Thursday after a report said U.S. sales of new homes rose less than expected last month. The dollar index (DXY 80.49, +0.16, +0.19%) , a measure of the greenback against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, traded at 80.600, up from 80.413 in North American trade late Wednesday. Government reports showing initial jobless claims fell and durable-goods orders rose more than predicted last month sent U.S. stock markets higher, which has tended to reduce the demand for the safe-haven status of the U.S. currency. The dollar had been higher in overseas trading hours as foreign-exchange markets were also weighing the impact of the recent rise in government-bond yields.
