NEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar rose

against a basket of currencies on Thursday, after data showed

lower than expected jobless claims and a rise in retail sales as

markets look for signs of how the broader health of the economy

will influence the size of upcoming rate cuts.

The dollar index, which tracks the U.S. currency

against six major peers, was at 102.96, up 0.36%.