By Sarah Turner, MarketWatch
SYDNEY (MarketWatch) — The U.S. dollar index gained against major rivals on Tuesday, with investors still wary about Europe’s sovereign-debt problems.
The dollar index DXY +0.31% , which measures the greenback against six other currencies, traded at 74.481, up from 74.277 in European trading hours on Monday, when U.S. markets were closed for a holiday.
The euro EURUSD -0.44% slipped to $1.4479, from $1.4500, extending a decline made in the previous session.
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Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said Monday that a proposal put together by French banks last week for private creditors to roll over Greek debt set to mature through 2014 would likely be viewed as a “selective default” if implemented. Read more on S&P view of French plan.
Still, the euro may get support this week ahead of policy decision from the European Central Bank due Thursday, with the bank expected to hike interest rates.
On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia left its key cash rate on hold at 4.75%. The Australian dollar AUDUSD -0.55% traded at $1.0688, down from $1.0719 on Monday after the decision.
The greenback USDJPY +0.34% gained against the yen, buying ¥81.02 Tuesday, up from ¥80.80 in the previous session.
Sarah Turner is MarketWatch's bureau chief in Sydney.
