The dollar struggled for direction on Friday, unmoved by economic data as trade uncertainty and Middle East tensions stayed in the back of investors minds.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was up 0.03% to 89.52 by 10:59 AM ET (14:59 GMT).
The dollar was little moved after economic data showed U.S. job openings had fallen slightly in February. The monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS showed that job openings fell by 176,00 to 6.052 million.
A separate report showed that U.S. consumer sentiment eased from a 14-year high on trade concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Thursday that he would only consider joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement if it was a “substantially better” deal than under former President Barack Obama. Trump had previously announced that he was pull out of the landmark trade agreement.
Meanwhile, Middle East tensions remained, as Trump and his national security aides discussed U.S. option in Syria on Thursday, but he cast doubts by tweeting that an attack on Syria “could be very soon or not so soon at all.”
The dollar gained ground against the yen, with USD/JPY rising 0.29% to 107.61. The safe haven yen is often sought out by investors in time of market turmoil and political tensions.
The euro eased back from earlier gains, with EUR/USD down 0.02% to 1.2325. Meanwhile, the pound was higher against the U.S. currency, with GBP/USD up 0.15% to 1.4249. The U.K. and European Union will begin trade talks next week on how trade will work after Brexit, diplomats said on Thursday.
The Australian dollar was higher, with AUD/USD up 0.30% to 0.7776 while NZD/USD decreased 0.19% to 0.7360.
In Canada, the loonie fell, with USD/CAD rising 0.12% to 1.2602.
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