U.S. retail sales rebounded more than expected in June, suggesting a modest improvement in economic activity and giving the Federal Reserve cover to delay cutting interest rates while it gauges the inflation fallout from import tariffs.

The dollar index (DXY00) today is up +0.35% at a 3.5-week high. Signs of strength in the US economy may keep the Fed from cutting interest rates and are supportive of the dollar. Weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell to a 3-month low,

Currently, the Dow is -33 points, the S&P 500 is 0.0, the Nasdaq +13 points and the small-cap Russell 2000 +3.Jobless Claims Moderate on Initial Side: 227KWelcome news this Thursday morning are Weekly Jobless Claims levels,

US Dollar Index firms as yields hold, jobless claims beat forecasts, and traders eye DXY’s test of 97.899 pivot for a potential push toward 98.900.

The dollar index (DXY00) on Thursday rose by +0.29% and posted a 3.5-week high. Signs of strength in the US economy may keep the Fed from cutting interest rates and are supportive of the dollar. Weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly fell to a 3-month low,

London stocks ended higher on Thursday, buoyed by growing investor expectations of a Bank of England rate cut next month following recent soft UK labour market data.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the Greenback against a basket of the six most traded currencies, retraces Wednesday’s losses and trades 0.4% higher on the day, at the 98.20 area, coming closer to the three-week high of 98.40.

Gold prices remained steady in early Asian trade, hovering around $3,339.22 per ounce, but are poised for a weekly decline due to a stronger dollar and positive U.S. economic data. U.S. retail sales exceeded expectations,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in three months, a sign that the U.S. labor market remains sturdy despite fears over the impact of widespread U.S. tariffs.