* Graphic: World FX rates in 2020 https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
* Mixed U.S. data fails to lift dollar
* Dollar index posts longest weekly losing streak since 2010
* Yen sees worst week vs dollar in two months
(Adds new comment, updates prices)
By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss
NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - The dollar dropped on Friday, falling for eight straight weeks, as
investors looked to other currencies whose economies are currently outperforming that of the United States
in terms of managing the coronavirus pandemic.
The delay in the passage of additional U.S. stimulus for virus relief did not help the dollar's cause
as well.
The dollar's eight consecutive weeks of losses represent its longest weekly run of declines in a
decade, Refinitiv data showed, with Friday's decent batch of U.S. economic data failing to lift the
greenback.
"Because of higher coronavirus case counts in the U.S., you have the prospect of longer restrictions,"
said Ranko Berich, head of market analysis, at Monex Europe in London. "You have the prospect of
longer-lasting drags to human behavior and that means slower recovery in the United States than other
developed economies."
The United States has 5.01 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 160,000 deaths, more than
any country. Hopes for additional stimulus to combat the pandemic faded on Friday, with the Senate and House of
Representatives in recess and no fresh talks scheduled with U.S. President Donald Trump's negotiators.
Trump, however, announced on Friday the White House is preparing to provide relief for the economic
pain caused by the virus as legislation stalls in Congress, saying his administration is ramping up to
send money to families, state and local governments, and businesses. Markets, however, reacted little to his announcement.
In afternoon trading, the dollar index slipped 0.1% to 93.124 =USD . The eight weeks in a row of
losses was the worst losing streak since June 2010.
The dollar was unmoved after data showing a 1.2% rise in the U.S. retail sales' headline number in
July, which was lower than expected, but a higher than forecast gain of 1.9%, excluding autos.
Other reports such as U.S. consumer sentiment and industrial production had little dollar impact on
Friday. Against other currencies, the dollar had its best weekly percentage gain versus the yen in two months.
It was last down 0.3% at 106.60 yen JPY=EBS .
The euro, meanwhile, continued its rise, up 0.2% at $1.1835 EUR=EBS , rising for eight straight
weeks.
Growing faith in Europe's rebound and concern about the U.S. response as the coronavirus spreads and
politicians remain deadlocked over the next relief package have bolstered the euro.
"We saw the euro touch $1.19 last week, but we haven't really gotten up there again," said John Doyle,
vice president of dealing and trading at Tempus, Inc. in Washington.
"That dollar demise that people have been calling for hasn't come to fruition yet. The big momentum
behind the dollar falling maybe slowing somewhat."
The biggest loser this week has been the New Zealand dollar NZD=D3 , which was down 0.8% against the
dollar this week, its worst weekly fall since mid-June.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand this week flagged increased bond buying and again mentioned the
prospect of negative rates.
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Currency bid prices at 3:58PM (1958 GMT)
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Euro/Dollar EUR= $1.1834 $1.1812 +0.19% +5.57% +1.1850 +1.1784
Dollar/Yen JPY= 106.5900 106.9200 -0.31% -2.09% +107.0300 +106.4500
Euro/Yen EURJPY= 126.14 126.31 -0.13% +3.44% +126.4700 +125.7500
Dollar/Swiss CHF= 0.9095 0.9096 -0.01% -6.02% +0.9122 +0.9087
Sterling/Dollar GBP= 1.3084 1.3063 +0.16% -1.32% +1.3142 +1.3049
Dollar/Canadian CAD= 1.3257 1.3220 +0.28% +2.09% +1.3270 +1.3206
Australian/Doll AUD= 0.7173 0.7148 +0.35% +2.16% +0.7175 +0.7133
ar
Euro/Swiss EURCHF= 1.0764 1.0747 +0.16% -0.81% +1.0772 +1.0742
Euro/Sterling EURGBP= 0.9044 0.9038 +0.07% +6.98% +0.9050 +0.9002
NZ NZD= 0.6544 0.6545 -0.02% -2.85% +0.6559 +0.6527
Dollar/Dollar
Dollar/Norway NOK= 8.8947 8.8813 +0.15% +1.32% +8.9499 +8.8681
Euro/Norway EURNOK= 10.5272 10.4930 +0.33% +7.01% +10.5505 +10.4860
Dollar/Sweden SEK= 8.6989 8.6841 +0.27% -6.94% +8.7307 +8.6744
Euro/Sweden EURSEK= 10.2956 10.2680 +0.27% -1.66% +10.2980 +10.2580