The dollar, by and large, is ending the week within the range established after the strong gains made Monday. Aside from Kiwi, which made fresh highs for the week on Thursday, most major currency pairs have remained range bound though recent sessions, and continued to hold ranges in Asia Friday with a lack of major data releases this session and no major U.S. data later Friday. USD/JPY was firm but gains to 96.76 were met with exporter offers but lows were limited to 96.53 as trading remained contained in a tight range. EUR/USD traded a range of 1.3883 to 1.3929 and within the broader 1.3800-1.4000 range. Similarly, GBP/USD traded 1.6305-65 and within the broader 1.6200-1.6400 range. Asian stocks were mostly higher with the Nikkei boosted by export stocks which rose on the weaker JPY. Oil remained above $71. U.S. Treasury yields remained firm but Tokyo traders remain nervous that next week's record $104 billion auction will renew pressure on bonds.
