Dollar index ends week at four-year high

The ICE U.S. Dollar Index rose to its highest level in more than four years Friday, boosted by the euro’s declines, as the European Central Bank’s decision to begin buying asset-backed securities weakened investor confidence in the shared currency.

The dollar index DXY, +0.66% ended the week up 0.82% to 88.3070. The index comprises a basket of six currencies, but is most heavily weighted against the euro.

The euro EURUSD, -1.20%  traded at $1.2392, compared with $1.2547 Thursday afternoon.

Elsewhere, the pound GBPUSD, -0.21%  ended the week at a fresh 14-month low against the dollar, trading at $1.5654, compared with $1.5695 Thursday afternoon.