By Caroline Valetkevitch
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar strengthened sharply against the Japanese yen on Tuesday as remarks by U.S. Federal Reserve officials hinted that more interest rate hikes are coming in the near term.
A trio of Fed officials from across the policy spectrum suggested Tuesday that they and their colleagues remain resolute and united on getting U.S. rates up to a level that will put a dent in activity and inflation.
"We got a steady dose of Fed speak that... triggered a strong move back into the greenback," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at Oanda in New York.
"What you're seeing is that the dollar's reign is not going to go away any time soon, as the interest rate differential seems like it might get even wider against the yen."
Investors remain keen to see the U.S. monthly jobs report on Friday.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback against six peers, was last up 0.9% at 106.31. The index had eased recently as investors began reassessing how aggressive the Fed may be with rate hikes in the future.
Against the yen, the dollar was up 1.2% at 133.12 yen.
The dollar rose to a session higher against the yen as yields in the U.S. Treasury market rallied. U.S. two-year yields, which reflect rate expectations, rose to one-week highs.
Early in the session, the dollar had been weaker against the yen as concern over U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan made investors more risk averse.
Pelosi said her trip demonstrated American solidarity with the Chinese-claimed self-ruled island, but China condemned the highest-level U.S. visit in 25 years as a threat to peace and stability.
The offshore Chinese yuan fell 0.09% versus the greenback at $6.7780 per dollar.
The Australian dollar was down 1.5% in the wake of the Reserve Bank of Australia's move to raise interest rates by 50 bps to 1.85%, in line with expectations.
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Currency bid prices at 4:30PM (2030 GMT)
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Dollar index
106.3100 105.3500 +0.93% 11.130% +106.3400 +105.0300
Euro/Dollar
$1.0164 $1.0260 -0.93% -10.59% +$1.0294 +$1.0164
Dollar/Yen
133.1200 131.6000 +1.19% +15.67% +133.1550 +130.4000
Euro/Yen
135.32 135.05 +0.20% +3.84% +135.4000 +133.4100
Dollar/Swiss
0.9573 0.9500 +0.80% +4.98% +0.9575 +0.9470
Sterling/Dollar
$1.2161 $1.2254 -0.75% -10.07% +$1.2278 +$1.2162
Dollar/Canadian
1.2876 1.2842 +0.27% +1.84% +1.2887 +1.2835
Aussie/Dollar
$0.6920 $0.7027 -1.52% -4.79% +$0.7032 +$0.6913
Euro/Swiss
0.9730 0.9743 -0.13% -6.16% +0.9763 +0.9721
Euro/Sterling
0.8356 0.8374 -0.21% -0.52% +0.8400 +0.8341
NZ
Dollar/Dollar $0.6252 $0.6332 -1.26% -8.66% +$0.6343 +$0.6252
Dollar/Norway
9.7715 9.6395 +1.32% +10.86% +9.7730 +9.6425
Euro/Norway
9.9339 9.8846 +0.50% -0.79% +9.9485 +9.8677
Dollar/Sweden
10.2480 10.0946 +0.36% +13.64% +10.2507 +10.0898
Euro/Sweden
10.4178 10.3809 +0.36% +1.80% +10.4230 +10.3678