The Rupee opened stronger on Friday, tracking a broader recovery in Asian peers and supported by a pause in the U.S. dollar index's near-term uptrend. The dollar index fell about 0.2% in Asia to 98.40, helping most Asian currencies climb higher. The dollar index had rallied on Thursday, approaching the 99 mark, after robust U.S. data spurred expectations that the Federal Reserve will be in no rush to resume rate cuts. U.S. economic data released on Thursday "continues to signal resilience," MUFG Bank said, while noting the muted reaction in U.S. Treasury yields. Markets were largely unchanged about the Fed outlook, with no major shift in pricing for a September rate cut or the cumulative rate cuts expected in 2025. Despite the dip in the dollar index on Friday, the gauge is up 0.6% this week after last week's near 1% rally. Markets continue to hold net short positions on the U.S. dollar, and an unwinding of those short dollar positions could provide support for the U.S. currency, MUFG Bank noted. The dollar index , which measures the currency against six leading counterparts, held steady at 98.456 as of 0038 GMT, keeping it on track for a 0.64% weekly advance and building on the previous week's 0.91% rally. The dollar index climbed as high as 98.951 on Thursday for the first time since June 23 after U.S. data showed retail sales rebounded more than expected in June and first-time applications for unemployment benefits dropped to a three-month low last week. Traders currently price about 45 basis points of rate cuts for the remainder of the year, down from closer to 50 basis points at the start of the week. The dollar was steady at 148.60 yen , hovering not far from the 3-1/2-month high of 149.19 from Wednesday, as signs grew that Japan's coalition would fall short of retaining its majority, potentially giving moresway to opposition parties that back consumption tax cuts to ease the burden on voters from rising prices. For the week, the dollar has gained 0.73% on the Japanese currency. The euro rose 0.25% to $1.1626, clawing its way off Thursday's three-week low of $1.1556. For the week, the euro is down 0.59%. Sterling rose 0.13% to $1.3436, slightly paring its weekly decline to 0.41%. Oil prices were little changed on Friday after rising in the previous session as concerns drone attacks on northern Iraqi oil fields will cut supply vied with worries of potential demand declines amid uncertainty in U.S. tariff policy. Brent crude futures eased 4 cents, or 0.06%, to $69.48 a barrel as of 0239 GMT, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures edged down 3 cents, or 0.04%, to $67.51 a barrel.......