* Dollar index surpasses two-week high
* U.S. treasury yields stable after Powell testimony
* Graphic: World FX rates https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
(Adds quote, recasts with dollar move)
By Jessica DiNapoli and Elizabeth Howcroft
NEW YORK, March 23 (Reuters) - The dollar index rose against
a basket of most major currencies on Tuesday, surpassing a
two-week high, while yields on U.S. Treasuries slipped as U.S.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told Congress inflation will
not get out of hand.
The dollar index was last up 0.65% at 91.8, reversing course
from Monday when it dipped but hovered below four-month highs,
as investors sought safe havens. =USD
Yields on U.S. Treasuries also slipped again, at 1.624%
US10YT=RR . Earlier Tuesday, the Treasury drew solid demand for
two-year notes, with investors looking ahead to auctions for
longer-dated notes later in the week. "It's more about the fundamentals," said Juan Perez, a
currency trader and strategist at Tempus Inc. "(We) have a ton
of data to digest starting tomorrow."
Perez said the dollar's rise on Tuesday shows "ultimately
we're just not out of this thing," referring to the COVID-19
pandemic.
The dollar index has gained around 2.4% so far in 2021 as
investors see the relatively quick rollout of COVID-19 vaccines
and stimulus spending in the United States as boosting economic
growth.
But there was a wary tone in global markets, with most U.S.
stocks tumbling on Tuesday.
Contributing to market caution was a third wave of the
COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Germany is extending its lockdown
and urging citizens to stay at home over the Easter holidays.
Euro-dollar was down 0.71% at $1.1847 EUR=EBS .
The New Zealand dollar fell on new measures to cool the
housing market, dropping to a three-month low against the U.S.
dollar NZD=D3 .
It was down about 2.27% on the day at 0.70.
The drop was triggered by the New Zealand government
introducing measures to curb speculation on its red-hot housing
market, where house prices have risen 23% in 12
months. The Australian dollar - considered a liquid
proxy for risk - also took a hit and was down 1.54% at 0.763
versus the U.S. dollar AUD=D3 . Turkey's lira stabilized somewhat, having plunged 7.5% on
Monday after President Tayyip Erdogan sacked the hawkish central
bank chief. It was up around 1.79% against the U.S.
dollar TRYTOM=D3 .
Currency bid prices at 4:02PM (2002 GMT)
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Dollar index =USD 92.3490 91.7980 +0.61% 2.632% +92.3620 +91.7530
Euro/Dollar EUR=EBS $1.1847 $1.1932 -0.71% -3.04% +$1.1941 +$1.1846
Dollar/Yen JPY=D3 108.5600 108.8250 -0.23% +5.12% +108.8650 +108.4450
Euro/Yen EURJPY= 128.60 129.86 -0.97% +1.32% +129.9100 +128.6100
Dollar/Swiss CHF=EBS 0.9340 0.9233 +1.18% +5.59% +0.9344 +0.9234
Sterling/Dollar GBP=D3 $1.3749 $1.3867 -0.85% +0.63% +$1.3864 +$1.3748
Dollar/Canadian CAD=D3 1.2587 1.2520 +0.54% -1.15% +1.2594 +1.2519
Aussie/Dollar AUD=D3 $0.7624 $0.7746 -1.57% -0.89% +$0.7747 +$0.7624
Euro/Swiss EURCHF= 1.1065 1.1017 +0.44% +2.39% +1.1079 +1.1016
Euro/Sterling EURGBP= 0.8615 0.8604 +0.13% -3.60% +0.8645 +0.8598
NZ NZD=D3 $0.6995 $0.7162 -2.30% -2.56% +$0.7162 +$0.6991
Dollar/Dollar
Dollar/Norway NOK=D3 8.6300 8.4985 +1.57% +0.52% +8.6320 +8.5060
Euro/Norway EURNOK= 10.2264 10.1356 +0.90% -2.30% +10.2317 +10.1381
Dollar/Sweden SEK= 8.5928 8.5081 +0.26% +4.84% +8.5937 +8.4993
Euro/Sweden EURSEK= 10.1814 10.1546 +0.26% +1.04% +10.1908 +10.1483
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World FX rates https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
Turkey Lira https://tmsnrt.rs/3lHvBpB
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