Dollar edges down in Asia
The euro was trading at multi-year highs.
TOKYO (AFP) - The dollar edged down in Asia Thursday after surging to a six-month high against the yen on Bank of Japan (BoJ) easing speculation, while dealers turn their attention to key eurozone inflation data.
The greenback bought 102.07 yen in Tokyo afternoon trade, down from 102.16 yen in New York Wednesday afternoon.
The euro was trading at multi-year highs, changing hands at 138.68 yen from 138.71 yen while it rose slightly to $1.3585 from $1.3576.
On Wednesday, the dollar soared past 102 yen to its highest level since May after a BoJ official hinted there was a potential to expand a massive stimulus drive unveiled in April.
Board member Sayuri Shirai said the central bank "should not hesitate" to take additional easing steps if needed, a move that tends to weigh on the yen.
Dealers said the dollar won support from relatively upbeat US economic data, stoking a move by investors into riskier assets and away from the yen, seen as a safe haven during times of uncertainty.
"Risk assets remained supported ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday on the back of some better-than-expected economic releases," Credit Agricole said.
Weekly jobless claims data came in better than forecast, while US durable goods orders were down 2.0 percent in October, when Washington was paralysed by a 16-day government shutdown.
But "it was the October data, during the government shutdown, so that softness is likely to be discounted", National Australia Bank said.
"Good news on the labour market, with jobless claims lower than expected and consumer confidence was higher."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's deal to create a coalition government buoyed the euro, while traders await inflation data for clues about whether the European Central Bank will launch further easing measures after cutting rates to a record-low 0.25 percent this month.
The latest data may show inflation weaker than the four-year-low 0.7 percent seen in October, which prompted the latest rate cut in a bid to avoid deflation.
The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Pacific currencies.
It rose to 32.19 Thai baht from 32.04 baht the previous day as Thailand's embattled prime minister survived a parliamentary no-confidence vote Thursday amid massive anti-government protests.
The dollar was also higher to 1,061.25 South Korean won from 1,060.45 won, to Sg$1.2549 from Sg$1.2523, to 43.73 Philippine pesos from 43.70 pesos, and to 11,990 Indonesian rupiah from 11,720 rupiah.
The greenback weakened to 62.32 Indian rupees from 62.38 rupees while it was unchanged to Tw$29.60.
The Australian dollar rose to 91.27 US cents from 91.17 cents, while the Chinese yuan changed hands at 16.74 yen against 16.64 yen.
