Corn prices rose on Friday, as the US dollar held against it peers, amid growing hopes about China's demand for US farm goods.

The US Department of Agriculture revealed today the details of the second aid package for farmers to address the coronavirus impact.

The USDA said it would pay up to $14 billion to farmers of major crops such as corn, soybean, wheat, dairy and tobacco.

This comes after the Trump administration announced in April a $19 billion relief package to support farmers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The dollar index slipped against a basket of currencies by less than 0.1% to 92.9 points as of 22:15 GMT, after hitting a high of 93.01 and a low of 92.7.

Corn December futures rose 0.8% to close at $3.78 a bushel, after hitting today's high at $3.79 and the low at $3.73.

The British pound fell against the US dollar on Friday, following weak economic data, while focus turned to the Brexit talks. 

The Bank of England kept the interest rate at 0.10% unchanged in a widely expected move to support the economy amid the coronavirus crisis.

The US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said that there would be no good trade deal between the US and UK if it doesn't secure a deal with the EU that respects Northern Ireland peace agreement.

Data showed today that the UK's retail sales index rose 0.8% in August, on par with forecasts, but lower than July's reading of 3.7%.

As of 21:35 GMT, GBP/USD fell 0.3% to 1.2928, after hitting a high of 1.2999 and a low of 1.2915.

The major US stock indices closed lower on Friday, driven by disappointing economic data and the continued sell-off in the tech sector, posting the third straight weekly loss.

Uncertainty remains about the possibility of the US Congress to pass a second stimulus package to ease the coronavirus economic impact.

Data showed that the US current account posted a deficit of $171 billion in the second quarter, worse than expectations of $158 billion, while the consumer confidence index rose to 78.9 points this month.

Trade tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated once again, after the US administration announced the starting data of the ban on Chinese applications WeChat and TikTok, which is due September 20.

To the oil market, WTI October futures at Nymex rose 0.3% to close $41.11 a barrel, with a weekly gain of 10.1%, after hitting a day high of $41.4 and a low of $40.3.

Brent November futures fell 0.4% to $43.15 a barrel, and posted weekly gains of 8.3%, with a high of $43.8 and a low of $42.5.    

As for stocks, Dow Jones fell 0.9% or 244 points to settle at 27,657, and posted weekly losses of 0.1%, with a session-high of 27,946 and a low of 27,487.

Nasdaq fell 1.1% or 117 points to 10,793, and posted a weekly loss of 0.6%, a high of 10,977 and a low of 10,639.

S&P 500 fell 1.1% or 37 points to close at 3,319, with 0.6% weekly loss, and hit a high of 3,362 and a low of 3,292.

The US dollar held on Friday, after the market absorbed the Federal Reserve's interest and monetary policy decisions.

Investors are closely following the exchange of criticism and accusations between the US presidential candidates, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden.

President Donald Trump expressed that his Democratic rival Joe Biden will raise taxes by $4 trillion if he wins the presidential election.

President Trump also stressed that thousands of doctors in the US are working relentlessly on an effective and safe Covid-19 vaccine.

Data showed that the US current account posted a deficit of $171 billion in the second quarter, worse than expectations of $158 billion, while the consumer confidence index rose to 78.9 points this month.

The dollar index slipped against a basket of currencies by less than 0.1% to 92.9 points as of 20:29 GMT, after hitting a high of 93.01 and a low of 92.7.