Asian currencies consolidated against the dollar as stronger-than-expected U.S. employment data increased expectations for a September Federal Reserve rate hike. U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, the largest increase in five months, while market pricing for a September hike was near 50%, described by CBA's Global Economic & Markets Research team as a coin toss. The Korean won traded at 1,346.8 per dollar at 9 a.m. on the 7th, down 3.6 won, or 0.26%, from the previous trading day's weekly close. CBA said the U.S. Dollar Index could test 99.40 later in the week if hike pricing increases, compared with 99.151 at 0006 GMT. Dollar demand from importers and Korean residents investing in overseas stocks could lift the exchange rate, although exporter dollar sales may limit the won's decline.