TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar held firm on Friday as caution over rapid rises in U.S. coronavirus cases cast doubt over the reopening of the economy, keeping the allure of its safe-haven value.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar held firm on Thursday as an increase in coronavirus cases in the United States undermined hopes for a quick turnaround in the pandemic-hit economy and prompted traders to cuts bets on riskier currencies.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Oil prices inched up in early trading on Thursday after sliding more than 5% in the previous session on worries that a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases could choke a revival in fuel demand, but volumes were thin with China out on a public holiday.

Oil futures plummeted on Wednesday after new industry data and coronavirus case counts pointed to an aftershock in the critical commodity market.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Asian markets were set to follow a tumble in Wall Street stocks and oil prices on Thursday after surging U.S. coronavirus cases and the International Monetary Fund’s downgrade to global economic projections shook confidence in a recovery.

The International Monetary Fund slashed its economic forecasts once again on Wednesday and warned that public finances will deteriorate significantly as governments attempt to combat the fallout from the coronavirus crisis.