Asian Currencies Consolidate; May Weaken Amid Mild Risk-Off Sentiment

0203 GMT — Asian currencies consolidate against USD in the morning session, but may weaken amid mild risk-off sentiment driven by worries over the U.S. economy. Data released Thursday showed the long-awaited economic slowdown may finally be at hand, Matthew Weller, global head of research at forex.com and City Index, says in an email. Any weakness in the U.S. economy will probably spread to other regions, stoking demand for USD, the world’s reserve currency, Weller adds. USD/KRW rises 0.3% to 1,333.94 while USD/SGD is little changed at 1.3315 and AUD/USD edges 0.1% lower to 0.6698. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)