Dollar weakens against major peers as soft US retail data and yen rally impact markets
The US dollar fell today after retail sales data showed unexpected stagnation. Meanwhile, the yen rose for a second day following Sanae Takaichi’s election victory.
Insights:
Retail sales in the United States 
US were unexpectedly unchanged in December, according to the latest U.S. retail sales data released by the U.S. Commerce Department. This flat reading signals a potential softening in consumer spending, a metric that is critical because it accounts for roughly two-thirds of the nation's economy. Following the announcement on February 10, 2026, the U.S. dollar traded mostly lower across the Forex market (currency markets). At the same time, the Japanese yen strengthened significantly following the election victory of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Japan 
JP.
US were unexpectedly unchanged in December, according to the latest U.S. retail sales data released by the U.S. Commerce Department. This flat reading signals a potential softening in consumer spending, a metric that is critical because it accounts for roughly two-thirds of the nation's economy. Following the announcement on February 10, 2026, the U.S. dollar traded mostly lower across the Forex market (currency markets). At the same time, the Japanese yen strengthened significantly following the election victory of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Japan JP.
