Dollar little changed after U.S. retail sales

The dollar was little changed against major currencies on Friday after U.S. retail sales matched forecasts.   

Advanced retail sales rose 0.6 percent in August from an upwardly revised of 0.3 percent.

Later in the day, a U.S. consumer sentiment report may show a rise to 83.3 from 82.5.  

However, investors will probably focus on next week’s Fed policy meeting to hear new comments about the timing at which the Fed would raise interest rates.

The dollar index, which tracks the green currency’s movements versus a basket of six major currencies, is currently hovering around 84.26 set for its ninth straight weekly gain.

The EURUSD was also little changed to trade near the session’s opening after hitting a high of 1.2938 and a low of 1.2912.

Euro-area finance ministers will convene today in Milan, Italy, to discuss plans for a banking union, in preparation for the G-20 finance ministers meeting in Australia. 

The GBPUSD inched down after touching a peak of 1.6275 to trade around 1.6248.

The UK will have a hectic time next week as Scotland decides whether it would split from the union.