By Tom Westbrook
       SINGAPORE, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The dollar stood its
ground on Wednesday, though it struggled for further headway
despite strong U.S. retail sales data, as traders turned their
attention to looming Chinese growth figures and the escalating
violence in the Middle East.
    A blast at a Gaza hospital dealt a blow to hopes the
conflict could be contained. U.S. President Joe Biden is en
route to Tel Aviv. The Israeli shekel fell back to the
weaker side of 4-per dollar after a brief bounce overnight. 
    U.S. yields had shot sharply higher after data showed retail
sales increased strongly and more than expected last month, in
the latest sign of the economy's enduring strength. Two-year
yields hit a 17-year high at 5.24%.
    Yet the dollar, which has moved in lockstep with yields
lately, was supported without gaining much.
    Some traders pointed to a positive survey of German business
morale and a Bloomberg report suggesting the Bank of Japan is
likely to revise its inflation forecasts higher as helping the
euro and yen lean against any dollar strength.
    The euro gained 0.1% overnight and was steady at
$1.0570 in Asia on Wednesday. The yen jumped briefly,
before falling back to trade steady at 149.75 on Wednesday.
    Others suggested the lagging dollar could be a sign its
recent run is losing momentum. The benchmark 10-year Treasury
yield has climbed about 100 basis points since mid
July, and the dollar index is up 7% in the same period. 
    "It's had a really good run and it's stalled a bit," said
Westpac analyst Imre Speizer. "Maybe it's hitting the limits of
this stage of the rally, and needs a bit of a correction."
    The dollar index was up less than 0.1% overnight to 106.26.
    China's yuan fell in overnight offshore trade ahead
of GDP data due later on Wednesday. The Australian and New
Zealand dollars were steady in early trade - though have started
moving in opposite directions on interest rate expectations.
    On Tuesday data showed inflation had cooled in New Zealand,
while the Reserve Bank of Australia struck a surprisingly
hawkish tone in meeting minutes -- sending the Aussie/kiwi cross
 sharply higher and through its 50-day moving average.
    The Aussie held Tuesday gains to buy $0.6358 on
Wednesday. The kiwi nursed losses at $0.5894.
    
    ========================================================
    Currency bid prices at 0038 GMT
 Description      RIC         Last           U.S. Close  Pct Change     YTD Pct     High Bid    Low Bid
                                              Previous                   Change                 
                                              Session                                           
 Euro/Dollar                                                                                    
                              $1.0563         $1.0576    -0.12%          -1.41%      +1.0577     +1.0564
                                                                                                
 Dollar/Yen                                                                                     
                              149.7350        149.7900   -0.04%          +0.00%      +149.7900   +149.7300
                                                                                                
 Euro/Yen                   158.17          158.44     -0.17%          +12.74%     +158.4500   +158.1800
                                                                                                
 Dollar/Swiss                                                                                   
                              0.9007          0.9005     +0.03%          -2.59%      +0.9007     +0.9002
                                                                                                
 Sterling/Dollar                                                                                
                              1.2166          1.2184     -0.13%          +0.62%      +1.2183     +1.2168
                                                                                                
 Dollar/Canadian                                                                                
                              1.3652          1.3648     +0.03%          +0.76%      +1.3655     +1.3648
                                                                                                
 Aussie/Dollar                                                                                  
                              0.6357          0.6366     -0.13%          -6.73%      +0.6367     +0.6358
                                                                                                
 NZ                                                                                             
 Dollar/Dollar                0.5890          0.5897     -0.03%          -7.17%      +0.5899     +0.5894
                                                                                                
                                                                                                
    
All spots
Tokyo spots
Europe spots 
Volatilities 
Tokyo Forex market info from BOJ 

    
 (Reporting by Tom Westbrook.
Editing by Shri Navaratnam)