Dollar Index Hits Highest Level Since March 2009

The ICE U.S. Dollar Index rose above the 89.000 level Friday for the first time since March 2009 after the Labor Department said the U.S. economy gained 321,000 jobs in November. The euro fell to $1.2306, compared to $1.2384 Thursday afternoon. The pound fell to $1.5633, compared to $1.5676. The dollar rose to 121.1027 yen, compared to 119.7600 yen Thursday afternoon. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a gain of 325,00 jobs. The dollar index is a measure of the greenback's strength against a basket of six rival currencies.