By Lisa Twaronite , MarketWatch
TOKYO (MarketWatch) — The dollar gained against major rivals in Asian trading Monday, rising on relief over Friday’s agreement to prevent a U.S. government shutdown.
The dollar index (DXY 74.97, -0.10, -0.13%) , a measure of the U.S. unit against a basket of six major rivals, regained the 75 level to trade at 75.021 Monday, up from 74.892 in North American hours late Friday.
Congressional leaders and the White House on Friday reached a late-hour deal to keep the federal government running and avoid the first shutdown in 15 years. Read more on U.S. budget deal.
The euro (EURUSD 1.4451, -0.0005, -0.0346%) slipped to $1.4451, from $1.4476 in late North American trading Friday. See real-time currency quotes and tools.
The Australian dollar (AUDUSD 1.0562, +0.0006, +0.0568%) also edged down, buying $1.0553, compared with $1.0569 late Friday.
The Aussie has been rising to record highs against the greenback in recent weeks, buoyed by hopes of further gains in commodities. The euro also strengthened recently in anticipation of the Thursday’s interest-rate hike from the European Central Bank.
But some strategists see the dollar beginning to fight back against those two rivals.
“There are signs that the market is getting a bit of altitude sickness in the likes of [the euro] and [Australian dollar], and the gains from this point forward may be slower to materialize,” said Daragh Maher, global foreign exchange strategist at Credit Agricole.
Against the Japanese yen, the dollar (USDYEN 84.7500, -0.1200, -0.1414%) was steady at ¥84.83, compared with ¥84.82 late Friday.
The British pound (GBPUSD 1.6351, -0.0026, -0.1588%) traded at $1.6354, down from $1.6386 late Friday.
