The U.S. dollar rallied across the board on Friday after data showed the world's largest economy created more jobs than expected last month, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will pause its rate-cutting cycle at its policy meeting later this month.

Stock markets mostly retreated and the dollar steadied Friday as traders awaited key US jobs data for signals on the health of the world's largest economy and the outlook for

The dollar rallied, while U.S. stocks fell sharply on Friday after data showed the U.S. economy created far more jobs in December than expected, reinforcing the belief among investors that U.S. interest rates may not fall much this year.