Dollar hits eight-month high as Fed rate hike view persists

``The dollar rose to an eight-month high on Monday, as unusually hawkish comments from a regional U.S. Federal Reserve president over the weekend further cemented expectations of an interest rate hike next month. San Francisco Fed President John Williams on Saturday cited a "strong case" for raising rates when Fed policymakers meet next month, as long as U.S. economic data does not disappoint. ''