FOREX-Dollar holds gains as U.S. retail sales beat forecast in June

NEW YORK- The dollar held its earlier gains versus a basket of currencies on Tuesday as data showed U.S. retail sales grew more than expected in June, soothing concerns about consumer spending slowing in the third quarter. 

At 8:44 a.m. (1244 GMT), an index that tracks the greenback versus six other currencies was up 0.37% at 97.291 after touching 97.332 earlier, which was its highest in four sessions.

(Reporting by Richard Leong) ((richard.leong@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646 223 6313; Reuters Messaging: richard.leong.thomsonreuters.com@thomsonreuters.net; Twitter @RichardLeong2))