HomeNewsBusinessMarketsDollar powers to fresh highs; stocks and oil fall

Dollar powers to fresh highs; stocks and oil fall

Stocks fell on Wall Street on concerns of the impact of higher rates and a stronger dollar on corporate profits. The S&P 500 was down for a third straight week, though it is just 3 percent below its record high set early this month.

March 14, 2015 / 12:10 IST
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The dollar surged on Friday as weak inflation data failed to stem expectations the Federal Reserve will move to tighten monetary policy, and the greenback's rise pressured stocks and commodities.

The dollar index .DXY rose 0.8 percent, setting up its first close above 100 since April 2003. The Fed's policy-setting committee meets next week.

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Stocks fell on Wall Street on concerns of the impact of higher rates and a stronger dollar on corporate profits. The S&P 500 was down for a third straight week, though it is just 3 percent below its record high set early this month.

"The stronger dollar, the continued hammering of the euro equals continued lower equity prices ahead of the Fed comments next week," said Michael James, managing director of equity trading at Wedbush Securities in Los Angeles. "We'll know more of the Fed's thinking on Wednesday but right now most people are expecting a rate hike to come in June and the equity markets not to be very receptive of that."