The dollar index stood at 92.2 against a basket of currencies on Friday, having touched 92.151 for the first time since August 5th earlier in the session, ahead of a crucial US jobs report. Investors wait to see if there is any sign of strong labor market recovery, a condition defined by the US Federal Reserve for paring pandemic-era asset purchases. The dollar had been strengthening for most of last month, hitting a 9-1/2-month high of 93.734 on August 20th, on the view that a taper could be imminent. However, a spike in COVID-19 cases and mixed economic data have pushed back tapering expectations. Earlier this week, data showed layoffs dropped to their lowest in more than 24 years, while the ADP National Employment Report on Wednesday showed a smaller-than-expected increase in private employment.