<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-markets-asian-shares-yuan-off-to-calm-start-focus-on-china-252723">Asian currencies strengthened</a> against the dollar on Friday, with South Korea's won leading the pack, as bets increased that the US Federal Reserve would cut rates further after a host of weak data deepened fears of a slowdown.

The market's focus now shifts to a key US&nbsp;jobs report due later in the day, and any signs of weakness in the print will boost rate-cut expectations and pressure the greenback.

"Slightly lower dollar, some adjustments in market positioning ahead of the weekend and expectations of Fed rate cuts are supporting Asian currencies," said Irene Cheung, a senior strategist for Asia at ANZ Banking Group (Singapore).

"With markets already fully loaded for an October FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) rate cut, it may require an outsized positive surprise from the NFP (non-farm payroll) numbers to shake out the very short-term dollar bears," OCBC said in a note.

Thailand's baht, Asia's best-performing currency so far this year, added 0.3 per cent&nbsp;for the day and was set to close the week 0.5 per cent&nbsp;higher.

The Philippine peso&nbsp;was 0.2 per cent&nbsp;higher as investors shrugged off data showing September inflation came in at its slowest in more than 3 years.

Malaysia's ringgit&nbsp;cut earlier gains to trade slightly higher after a surprise fall in August exports.

India's rupee&nbsp;gained marginally, showing little reaction to a 25 basis point rate cut that was in line with expectations.

The Korean won outperformed Asian peers to notch up a 0.8 per cent&nbsp;gain, after having declined for three out of four sessions this week.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday maintained an offer to talk to North Korea's leader even though <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-launches-missiles-ahead-of-nuclear-talks-253157">missile launches by the country</a> earlier this week had upped the risk ante in the region and pressured the won.

A bitter feud with Japan over history, trade and territory has added to the fallout from the US-Sino trade war to pull down the trade-sensitive won, making it Asia's worst-performing currency so far this year.

The unit was set to close the week 0.5 per cent&nbsp;stronger.

Asian currencies strengthened against the dollar on Friday, with South Korea's won leading the pack, as bets increased that the US Federal Reserve would cut rates further after a host of weak data deepened fears of a slowdown.

Asian currencies strengthened against the dollar on Friday, with South Korea's won leading the pack, as bets increased that the US Federal Reserve would cut rates further after a host of weak data deepened fears of a slowdown. The market's focus now shifts to a key US jobs report due later in the day, and any signs of weakness in the print will boost rate-cut expectations and pressure the greenback. "Slightly lower dollar, some adjustments in market positioning ahead of the weekend and expectations of Fed rate cuts are supporting Asian currencies," said Irene Cheung, a senior strategist for Asia at ANZ Banking Group (Singapore). "With markets already fully loaded for an October FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) rate cut, it may require an outsized positive surprise from the NFP (non-farm payroll) numbers to shake out the very short-term dollar bears," OCBC said in a note. Thailand's baht, Asia's best-performing currency so far this year, added 0.3 per cent for the day and was set to close the week 0.5 per cent higher. The Philippine peso was 0.2 per cent higher as investors shrugged off data showing September inflation came in at its slowest in more than 3 years. Malaysia's ringgit cut earlier gains to trade slightly higher after a surprise fall in August exports. India's rupee gained marginally, showing little reaction to a 25 basis point rate cut that was in line with expectations. The Korean won outperformed Asian peers to notch up a 0.8 per cent gain, after having declined for three out of four sessions this week. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday maintained an offer to talk to North Korea's leader even though missile launches by the country earlier this week had upped the risk ante in the region and pressured the won. A bitter feud with Japan over history, trade and territory has added to the fallout from the US-Sino trade war to pull down the trade-sensitive won, making it Asia's worst-performing currency so far this year. The unit was set to close the week 0.5 per cent stronger.

Asian currencies rise as markets 'fully loaded' for Federal rate cut

anz-banking-group

Anz Banking Group, News on Anz Banking Group, stories on Anz Banking Group, articles on Anz Banking Group, Anz Banking Group stories at Wion, Anz Banking Group news, Anz Banking Group latest news

anz banking-group

Asian currencies rise as markets 'fully loaded' for Federal rate cut