The American currency continued to rise before the release of US employment figures, while the Australian and New Zealand dollars hit their lowest level in two years. The South African rand

Backed by rising bond yields and expectations of a new round of solid U.S. employment numbers, the dollar seemed poised to extend its longest streak of weekly increases in over a year on Friday. The dollar gained 0.5 percent on the yen this week to buy 158.03 yen and added more than 1 percent on a struggling sterling, which was beaten to its lowest level in 14 months in tandem with a massive gilt sell-off and concerns about British finances. The dollar is expected to have a generally stable week against the euro, which is buying $1.0926 and has seen small gains on the Australian and New Zealand dollars. The dollar index is on the verge of a sixth consecutive weekly rise, its longest streak since an 11-week streak in 2023.

Australian and New Zealand dollars came close to their lowest levels in two years on Friday, ahead of the release of a crucial US jobs report that could reignite a sell-off in Treasuries and put pressure on local bond markets.