Agency: If the US core CPI declines, the US dollar may turn down

The dollar edged higher ahead of U.S. inflation data for November, due later today. However, Mario Schimmels of DZ Bank Research said the dollar could "weaken somewhat" in the short term if annual core inflation falls to 3.2% in November from 3.3% in October, as the bank expects. "Price pressures in the services sector are expected to ease, although the price-depressing effect of energy prices may have lost some of its effect," he said, adding that wage pressures have eased and apartment rents have risen only slightly in new contracts. Most analysts surveyed by The Wall Street Journal expect core CPI to remain unchanged at 3.3%. (Jinshi)