Asian session review: the dollar declined moderately against the euro and yen

During today's Asian trading, the US dollar fell modestly against the euro and yen, remaining under pressure due to the lack of progress in the adoption of a new package of measures to support the US economy.

The ICE U.S. Dollar index, which shows the value of the US dollar against six major world currencies, fell 0.08% from the previous day.

The US Senate at the end of the session on Thursday went on vacation until the end of the month, without reaching an agreement. The size of the new economic stimulus package is particularly controversial. US President's economic adviser Larry Kudlow said the Democrats are asking for "too much money."

Meanwhile, the number of Americans who first applied for unemployment benefits fell by 228,000 in the week ending August 8 to 963,000, according to a report from the US labor Department. Thus, the number of applications fell below the 1 million mark for the first time since March - since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Investors also analyzed data on China. Industrial production in China last month increased by 4.8% compared to July last year, as in June, according to data from the State statistical office. Analysts had forecast growth of 5.1%. Retail sales in China in July unexpectedly fell by 1.1% in annual terms after falling by 1.8% a month earlier. Experts expected an increase of 0.1%.