* Dollar supported by Friday's U.S. economic growth data
* Pound briefly above $1.30 after torrid week
* Aussie, Kiwi rally on Chinese trade optimism
* Graphic: World FX rates in 2019 http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
(Adds new quote, details, latest prices)
LONDON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - The dollar stood near two-week
highs on Monday after the release of decent U.S. economic data
late last week, while sterling's brief recovery hit the buffers.
With the economic calendar light before the holidays,
analysts doubt major currencies will post significant moves this
week.
Data published on Friday showed the U.S. economy, already
enjoying a record expansion, appeared to have maintained its
moderate growth as the year ended. The dollar has broadly benefited this year both during bouts
of risk aversion - because it is considered a safe-haven
currency - and when markets have rallied, because the U.S.
economy is outperforming other parts of the world.
The greenback was unchanged against the euro at $1.108 on
Monday EUR=EBS . Against a basket of currencies it stood at
97.694 .DXY , holding near Friday's peak, which was the highest
since Dec. 6.
Many analysts say the dollar is the most attractive currency
of a bad bunch. U.S. yields have dropped in 2019, but still
offer better returns than elsewhere.
"The big picture remains though that the dollar continues to
struggle for direction again the other major currencies amidst
record low volatility," MUFG analysts wrote in a note, pointing
to the modest 1.5% rise for the dollar index in 2019.
The dollar has also been supported since Washington and
Beijing came to an interim trade agreement earlier this month.
China said on Monday it would lower tariffs on some products
next year. Currencies linked closely to the prospects for global trade
rose.
The Australian dollar, which reflects sentiment towards
China, rose 0.2% to $0.6921 AUD=D3 . New Zealand's dollar
gained 0.2% to $0.6619 NZD=D3 .
Sterling suffered its worst week in three years last week
after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ruled out extending a
transition period for Britain to negotiate a trade deal with the
European Union beyond the end of 2020.
An attempt at recovery quickly fizzled out on Monday leaving
sterling down 0.1% at $1.2975 GBP=D3 , back at levels seen
before Johnson gained a resounding majority in the general
election.
Versus the euro, sterling eased 0.1% to to 85.35 pence per
euro EURGBP=D3 .
Japan's yen was little changed at 109.39 yen per dollar
JPY=EBS . Kit Juckes, an analyst at Societe Generale, noted
that Japan's recent stimulus announcements showed that the
country "is leaning towards fiscal policy where Europe struggles
to find new sources of easing.
"The yen remains fast asleep, but it will wake up before the
euro does," he said.
The euro gained 0.2% versus Sweden's crown to 10.44 crowns
EURSEK=D3 . The Swedish currency hit an eight-month high of
10.413 crowns per euro last week before the Riksbank became the
first major central bank to end negative interest rates.