During today's Asian trading, the US dollar consolidated against major currencies amid reduced trading activity ahead of the holidays.
"Global markets are optimistic that the spread of the omicron strain will not affect the recovery of the global economy, and this reduces the demand for safe haven currencies. The rally in US stocks suggests that investors' appetite for risk is very strong now, said Osamu Takashima of Citigroup.
As for the data, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed that Japan industrial production growth accelerated to 7.2% in November from 1.8% in October (revised from +1.1%). Economists had expected an increase by 4.9%. Meanwhile, in annual terms, industrial production increased by 5.4% after a 4.1% decline in October. Economists had expected an increase by 2.5%.
A separate report from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed that in November the Japan unemployment rate rose to 2.8% from 2.7% in October. Economists had expected unemployment to remain at 2.7%.
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 0.02%.