Dollar on Defensive as Data Show Cracks in US Jobs Market

RATE DOLLAR - SINGAPORE. The dollar retreated in early Asia trade on Friday, leading declines among major currencies as investors lacking official data on the U.S. labour market seized upon signs of weakness in private sector surveys.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.5% to 99.674, reversing its gains so far this month as bets mounted on a cut at the Fed's next meeting on December 10.