THE dollar ended slightly lower despite clawing back ground on data showing strong trade growth in China. At 5pm (AEDT), the local unit was trading at 98.48 US cents, down from yesterday's close of 98.68 cents. Since 7am (AEDT), the local unit traded between 98.27 US cents and 98.59 cents. CMC Markets foreign exchange dealer Tim Waterer said the local currency edged higher in afternoon trade on the back of strong data from China. "We've been trading in a fairly stable pattern all day, drifting up on the Chinese trade," Mr Waterer said. "It did improve a bit over the session with a conservative eye on retail sales figures and any possibility of Chinese interest rate movements." China's trade growth rebounded in November, boosted by strong demand from developing economies, and its global trade surplus widened 15 per cent over a year earlier. On the ASX 24 at 4.15pm (AEDT), the December share price index futures contract was down three points at 4,749 points, with about 30,000 contracts traded. The share market coasted to a flat close as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of key economic data from China. CPI numbers and some policy comments are expected to be released in China over the weekend. Mr Waterer said he expected investors to move into commodity-based currencies like the dollar in the lead up to the release of Chinese retail data over the weekend. The University of Michigan confidence figures and monthly budget statement will be released tonight in the US.

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