Dollar finishes week stronger as US data hurts risk appetite

The U.S. Dollar Currency Index was 0.56% higher at 90.773, on pace to finish the week up 0.8%, its best weekly showing in 11 weeks

NEW YORK: The U.S. dollar rose across the board to hit a four-week high against a basket of currencies on Friday, as data showing the COVID-19 pandemic's continuing toll on the economy boosted demand for the safe-haven currency.

U.S. retail sales fell for a third straight month in December amid job losses and renewed measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Commerce Department reported on Friday, further evidence the economy lost speed at the end of 2020.