NEW YORK, Feb 15 (Reuters) - The dollar extended gains
after data showed U.S. retail sales rose sharply after two
straight months of monthly declines, suggesting that the Federal
Reserve will keep interest rates higher for some time.
U.S. retail sales surged 3.0% last month. Data for December
was unrevised to show sales dropping 1.1% as previously
reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast sales would
increase 1.8%, with estimates ranging from 0.5% to 3.0%.
The dollar rose 0.6% against the yen to 133.91 yen .
The euro, meanwhile, extended losses against the dollar, and
last traded at $1.0692, down 0.4% .
The dollar index also increased gains to 103.78, up 0.5% .
(Reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Messaging: rm://gertrude.chavez.reuters.com@reuters.net))
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