SINGAPORE, July 19 Reuters Japan39;s yen hit a oneweek low against an insipid dollar on Wednesday as traders assessed the U.S. rate outlook, while the New Zealand currency spiked briefly after a higherthanexpected inflation reading pushed prospects of policy easing further out.

The dollar managed to nudge up after a mixed retail sales report overnight, with sales growth missing forecasts in June while consumers boosted or maintained spending elsewhere, pointing to consumer resilience that is likely to keep the economy on a solid growth path.

Against a basket of currencies, the U.S. dollar rebounded from a 15month low hit in the previous session, with its index steadying around 100 in Asian trade.

The data showed retail sales being resilient, and I think that39;s because the U.S. wage growth is still strong, said Tina Teng, market analyst at CMC Markets.

The Japanese yen fell marginally to 139.41 per dollar.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Tuesday there was still some distance to sustainably achieve the central bank39;s 2 inflation target, signalling his resolve to maintain ultraloose monetary policy for the time being, in contrast to the hawkishness at other major central banks.

The dollar has paused its steep decline from last week in the wake of a coolerthanexpected U.S. inflation reading that led to traders pricing in an imminent peak in Federal Reserve rates.

Economists polled by Reuters expect the Fed to deliver a 25basispoint rate hike at its…