Dollar firms on virus fears, pound swung by Brexit worries
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The dollar firmed against its peers in holiday-thinned trading on Wednesday as worries about a quick-spreading new coronavirus strain in the UK boosted safe-haven demand.
The pound fell for three straight days as the deadline for a post-Brexit trade deal nears. The dollar index climbed 0.1% to 90.561, extending its gain for the week to 0.7%.
The pound gained 0.1% to $1.3384, on course to end three straight days of declines.
The market has been set for a pandemic recovery that boosts global growth, decreasing demand for safe-haven currencies like the dollar.
The euro sat at $1.2166, while the dollar was little changed at 103.63 against the yen, another safe haven.