The US dollar fell against most of its peers on Friday, amid anticipation of the second fiscal aid package to ease the coronavirus impact on the US economy.

President Donald Trump decided last week to stop the second Covid-19 stimulus talks between his administration and Congress leaders until after the presidential election in November.

However, the Trump administration proposed to the Congress a $1.8 trillion fiscal stimulus package, and then President Trump informed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to raise even more.

The US retail sales index rose 1.9% in September, beating forecasts of 0.7%, and the first reading of the University of Michigan's consumer confidence survey rose to the highest level since March at 81.2 points.

The dollar index fell against a basket of currencies by 0.1% to 93.7 points as of 20:24 GMT, after it hit a high of 93.8 and a low of 93.5.

The Canadian dollar rose against most of its peers on Friday, shrugging off disappointing data and pressures on oil prices, which is one of the main pillars of the Canadian government budget.

Data showed today that Canada's manufacturing sales index fell 2% in September, worse than forecasts for a drop by 1.4%, after the index rose 7.2% in August.

The market remain concerned about the coronavirus global impact, especially as the second wave of infections sparked in several major countries

As of 17:53 GMT, WTI crude November futures at NYMEX fell by 0.2% to $40.8 a barrel, after hitting a high of $41.05 and a low of $40.08.

Brent December futures fell 0.4% to $42.9 a barrel, with a high of $43.2 and a low of $42.2.

Oil prices fell on Friday, but pared some of these losses after the US dollar fell against its peers.

This came despite lingering worries about the coronavirus impact on global demand, especially as the second wave of infections sparked in some countries, which would lead to a comeback of the lockdown restrictions.

Baker Hughes announced today that the US crude oil drilling rigs count rose 12 rigs to 205 during this week.

The dollar index rose against a basket of currencies by 0.2% to 93.6 points as of 18:14 GMT, after it hit a high of 93.8 and a low of 93.5.

As of 18:09 GMT, WTI crude November futures at NYMEX fell by 0.1% to $40.9 a barrel, after hitting a high of $41.05 and a low of $40.08.

Brent December futures fell 0.3% to $43.01 a barrel, with a high of $43.2 and a low of $42.2.

The energy services firm Baker Hughes announced today that the US crude oil drilling rigs count rose 12 rigs to 205 during this week.

While the natural gas rigs rose by 1 to 77 rigs, with the total of oil and gas rigs rising by 13 to 282 rigs.