By Ambar Warrick

-- Most Asian currencies were muted on Friday amid growing concerns over the path of U.S. monetary policy, while the Chinese yuan was among the best performers this week on a string of strong economic readings.

The rose 0.1%, and was set to close the week nearly 0.8% higher. 

A private survey showed on Friday that Chinese grew at a faster-than-expected pace in February. The reading comes after government data showed this week that China’s expanded at its fastest pace in over a decade, cementing a post-COVID recovery in the country.

Gains in the yuan spilled over into other China-exposed currencies, with the and the both set to close the week higher. 

A recovery in China bodes well for countries with a large trade exposure to the Asian giant, and could help improve the prospects for Asian economies this year. Friday’s positive data also came ahead of a meeting of high-level Chinese officials, which begins on Saturday.

But most other Asian currencies kept to small ranges on Friday, as surged overnight after a drop in weekly indicated resilience in the jobs market. The dollar also steadied on Friday against a basket of currencies, with the and falling 0.1% each.

The greenback was set for small weekly losses.

Overnight comments from Federal Reserve officials offered some clarity on where U.S. interest rates could peak this year, with Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic backing a 25 basis point hike during the March meeting.

But officials also warned that the Fed’s stance will be largely data-dependent, which, considering that read higher-than-expected in January, could keep interest rates higher for longer. 

The rose 0.1%, and was nursing some losses for the week as data highlighted weakening economic trends in the country. eased from an over 40-year high in February, data showed on Friday, but still remained pinned at relatively high levels.

The rose 0.1% and was set to add 0.8% this week as data showed that the grew 7% in 2022, vastly outperforming its Asian peers. Indian also grew more than expected in February, indicating continued resilience in the South Asian economy.