During today's Asian trading, the US dollar rose against the euro, pound and yen, but declined against the Australian dollar.
The demand for the dollar, as well as other "safe haven" assets, is growing against the background of a new wave of COVID-19 and the introduction of quarantine restrictions in Europe.
In addition, the dollar was supported by statements from two representatives of the Federal Reserve System, who suggested that the Fed could accelerate the pace of curtailing the asset purchase program.
So, Fed Deputy Chairman Richard Clarida said on Friday that he would carefully evaluate the data that will arrive before the December meeting, and "discussing the possibility of a faster reduction in the volume of asset repurchases at the upcoming meeting may be appropriate," given that "the US economy is in a very strong state, and we see the risk of accelerating inflation."
Following the results of the November meeting, the Federal Reserve announced that it would reduce the volume of asset repurchases this month by $15 billion and continue reducing the program in December. It is expected that the reduction of the Fed's QE program will be completed by mid-2022.
Meanwhile, Fed Board member Christopher Waller said he would like to complete this program by the end of the 1st quarter. The rapid curtailment of asset repurchases will give the Fed more room for maneuver in deciding when to raise the benchmark interest rate, Waller said on Friday. Currently, financial markets are waiting for the first Fed rate hike in June 2022.
The ICE index, which tracks the dynamics of the dollar against six currencies (euro, swiss franc, yen, canadian dollar, pound sterling and swedish krona), rose by 0.15%.