Dollar sinks as Trump health care blow fuels tax reform fears

A man walks past an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index and other foreign market index at a securities firm in Tokyo. (Photo source: AP/Eugene Hoshiko)

The greenback had soared along with global markets for months after Trump's November election victory on hopes his big-spending, tax-cutting policies would fire up the world's top economy and fan inflation.

But an ongoing crisis surrounding the White House has hobbled the tycoon's presidency, with opposition to his controversial health care reforms - crucial to freeing up cash - raising questions about his ability to push through other big-ticket measures.

While Republicans have 52 of the Senate's 100 seats, the opposition to the bill from two members last week was followed Monday by two more. Their decision means the bill has no chance of even getting a vote unless Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell makes significant changes to woo sceptics.

"Any hopes of dollar support from a successful vote on the Senate's health-care bill look to be vanishing after today's news," Rodrigo Catril, a currency strategist at National Australia Bank in Sydney, told Bloomberg News.

"Near term, the dollar path of least resistance is down."

The dollar came under pressure as traders eye the Federal Reserve's timetable for raising interest rates, while Trump struggles and inflation remains subdued.

Recent remarks from Fed boss Janet Yellen indicating the bank will concentrate on prices have tempered rate expectations in recent weeks.

The euro broke above the US$1.15 mark for the first time since last June, with eyes on the European Central Bank's policy meeting later on Thursday.

While ECB chief Mario Draghi is not yet expected to announce any tightening measures, there is speculation it will begin winding down its stimulus programme as the eurozone economy improves.

EYES ON DRAGHI

"The current market discussion suggests September ECB or even (central bankers' US gathering at) Jackson Hole will be the platform (to) announce the ... easing," Stephen Innes, senior trader at OANDA, said in a commentary.

"The market believes there is no coincidence in Draghi's appearance at Jackson Hole," he added.

The Australian dollar rallied more than one percent to a two-year high above 79 US cents after minutes from the country's central bank said the economy was picking up and indicated it saw interest rates rising to about 3.5 per cent, from the current 1.5 per cent.

The pound won fresh support before the release of British inflation data later in the day.

Most equities markets staged a recovery from early big losses but trading floors remain subdued, with few catalysts driving business.

Tokyo's Nikkei ended 0.6 per cent lower, with the strong yen dragging on Japanese exporters. The market was closed for a holiday Monday. Sydney fell 1.2 per cent.

But Hong Kong rose for a seventh straight day to put on 0.2 per cent, Singapore increased 0.2 per cent and Seoul closed marginally higher, while Wellington, Manila and Taipei all rose.

Shanghai ended 0.4 per cent higher after the previous day's sharp losses which had been fuelled by concerns over a crackdown aimed at tackling a debt problem.

In early European trade London and Paris each fell 0.2 per cent while Frankfurt was off 0.3 per cent.

- Key figures around 0820 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.6 per cent at 19,999.91 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.2 per cent at 26,524.94 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.4 per cent at 3,187.57 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 per cent at 7,388.71

Euro/dollar: UP at US$1.1528 from US$1.1479 at 2100 GMT

Pound/dollar: UP at US$1.3108 from US$1.3057

Dollar/yen: DOWN at ¥112.20 from 112.61

Oil - West Texas Intermediate: FLAT at US$46.02 per barrel

Oil - Brent North Sea: UP four cents at US$48.46

New York - DOW: FLAT at 21,629.72 (close)