Dollar index ends week at highest level since March 2006

The ICE U.S. dollar index finished the week Friday at its highest level since March 2006 as investors pushed the dollar higher against the euro, yen and pound after Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen hinted Wednesday that the central bank would begin raising rates around the middle of 2015.

The dollar USDJPY, +0.00% traded at 119.21 yen, compared with ¥118.94 Thursday.

The euro fell against the dollar after a gauge of Germany’s business activity in December improved from the prior month, but remained weak compared with recent U.S. data.

It EURUSD, +0.00%  traded at $1.22, compared with $1.23 Thursday.

The pound GBPUSD, +0.00% traded at $1.56, compared with $1.57 Thursday.

The dollar traded lower against the ruble RUBUSD, +0.00%  for the third straight day, trading at 58.87, compared with 61.07 Thursday, as Russia attempts to stabilize the volatile currency.