http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000006&sid=ashm7rskzyHU&refer=homeDec. 31 (Bloomberg) -- The dollar headed for a third annual decline against the euro and the yen on speculation overseas demand for U.S. financial assets is waning as U.S. current account and budget deficits widen to records.
Speculation U.S. officials are seeking a weaker currency to offset those shortfalls helped push down the dollar all but one of the past 15 weeks against a basket of its six major counterparts. The dollar fell to a record versus the euro yesterday after an industry report showed business and employment in the Chicago area declined.
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As we move into 2005, the change in the date isn't going to alter the fundamental question over the ability of the U.S. to fund its deficits,'' said Thomas O'Malley, head of global currency portfolio management in San Francisco at Barclays Global Investors, with more than $1 trillion in assets. ``We're going to see continued dollar depreciation.'' (emphasis mine)
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The U.S. currency may weaken to $1.40 per euro and 100 yen in first half of next year, O'Malley said.
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