By Ankur Banerjee

SINGAPORE, Dec 12 (Reuters) – The U.S. dollar headed for its third straight weekly drop on Friday, hurt by the prospect of rate cuts next year after the Federal Reserve pushed back against hawkish market bets, lifting the euro and sterling to their highest since October.

The euro ‍was steady at $1.1741 in early Asian hours after a 0.37% rise in the previous session, while the pound was marginally firmer at $1.33955. Both are poised for their third straight week of gains as the dollar remains under pressure.

The Fed cut rates as expected this week but the comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and the accompanying statement were viewed by investors as less hawkish than expected and reinforced dollar selling momentum.

Ameriprise chief market strategist Anthony Saglimbene

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