* Dollar on track for largest monthly fall since July
* Euro hits 3-month high versus dollar
* Bitcoin jumps to record high vs dollar
* Graphic: World FX rates in 2020 https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
(Recasts, adds new comment, updates prices)
By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss
NEW YORK, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The dollar rallied from its lowest level in 2-1/2 years on Monday, as
broad risk sentiment soured again and shares on Wall Street fell, with investors disheartened by weakening
U.S. economic data and the absence of any traction on another stimulus package.
Still, the greenback was on course to post its largest monthly percentage loss since July.
In contrast, bitcoin on Monday hit an all-time high of $19,864.15 and was last up 6% at $19,280
BTSP . "We're seeing further softening of U.S. economic data," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst, at
OANDA in New York. "And there hasn't been any sign that we're going to see Congress deliver a stimulus
package any time soon."
Data on Monday showed that contracts to buy U.S. previously-owned homes fell for a second straight
month in October, with the Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed last month, falling 1.1% to
128.9.
Other data showed activity at factories in the Midwest and Texas slowing this month, with the Chicago
PMI falling to 58.2 in November from 61.1 in October, likely as a nationwide resurgence in new COVID-19
infections curbed new orders and disrupted production. On the last day of the month, the dollar index rose 0.1% to 91.84 =USD .
"This is just a temporary boost for the dollar," said OANDA'a Moya. "The longer-term trend is clearly
going to be dollar weakness."
Market participants remained optimistic that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's administration would
pose few impediments to global growth.
Biden unveiled his picks for several top economic positions on Monday, including former Federal
Reserve Chair Janet Yellen as his nominee for Treasury secretary. The euro slipped 0.1% against the dollar to $1.1953, after earlier hitting a three-month high of $1.20
EUR=EBS . The European Central Bank signalled earlier this year it was carefully monitoring the
euro-dollar exchange rate. "We are reluctant to chase it higher amid stretched technical indicators and data showing divergence
favoring the U.S., and ahead of the ECB meeting that is likely to be dovish." said Marc Chandler, chief
market strategist, at Bannockburn Global Forex.
The dollar rose 0.1% against the yen to 104.27 yen JPY=EBS .
The dollar was flat to slightly higher against the Chinese yuan in the offshore market, at 6.5765
CNH=EBS .
Monday's data showed China's manufacturing grew at its fastest pace in more than three years in
November, while services sector growth hit a three-year high. The offshore yuan was on course for its longest streak of monthly gains in six years, boosted by
China's economic recovery from the coronavirus and steady capital inflows.
Brexit negotiations, meanwhile, remain the focus for the pound, which rose 0.3% versus the dollar to
$1.3352 GBP=D3 , with the euro down 0.3% at 89.52 pence EURGBP=D3 .
Britain and the European Union are running out of time to agree on a Brexit trade deal, but if good
progress is made this week the talks could be extended, Britain's environment secretary said. Currency bid prices at 1:41PM (1841 GMT)
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Dollar index =USD $91.8150 91.7240 +0.11% +0.00% +91.9150 +91.5040
Euro/Dollar EUR=EBS $1.1956 $1.1965 -0.07% +6.65% +1.2004 +1.1942
Dollar/Yen JPY=D3 104.2750 104.0500 +0.28% -3.94% +104.3850 +103.8500
Euro/Yen EURJPY= 124.68 124.50 +0.14% +2.24% +125.1100 +124.3100
Dollar/Swiss CHF=EBS 0.9056 0.9045 +0.12% -6.41% +0.9065 +0.9020
Sterling/Dollar GBP=D3 1.3353 1.3318 +0.27% +0.69% +1.3383 +1.3305
Dollar/Canadian CAD=D3 1.2978 1.2985 -0.05% -0.10% +1.2995 +1.2923
Aussie/Dollar AUD=D3 0.7356 0.7384 -0.38% +4.83% +0.7407 +0.7348
Euro/Swiss EURCHF= 1.0827 1.0818 +0.08% -0.23% +1.0858 +1.0804
Euro/Sterling EURGBP= 0.8953 0.8980 -0.30% +5.90% +0.9000 +0.8946
NZ NZD=D3 0.7027 0.7035 -0.10% +4.44% +0.7050 +0.7012
Dollar/Dollar
Dollar/Norway NOK=D3 8.8710 8.8300 +0.53% +1.19% +8.8875 +8.7850
Euro/Norway EURNOK= 10.6077 10.5560 +0.49% +7.82% +10.6255 +10.5289
Dollar/Sweden SEK= 8.5481 8.4795 +0.72% -8.55% +8.5668 +8.4447
Euro/Sweden EURSEK= 10.2201 10.1473 +0.72% -2.38% +10.2442 +10.1248
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