American dollar trades lower in Europe

LONDON (UPI): The U.S. dollar was trading slightly lower across Europe yesterday morning, with traders citing yet more rumors about Russian President Boris Yeltsin's ill-health.

In London, the U.S. currency was quoted at 1.5269 German marks, down on the previous finish of 1.5281. The dollar traded at 111.22 Japanese yen from the previous finish of 111.45.

Dealers were looking ahead to the release of Friday's Producer Prices Data where economists were looking for an unchanged 0.3 percent increase on the month.

Sterling was being quoted at 2.3910 German marks from its previous finish of 2.3930 marks. The pound opened at US$1.5659, down from the previous close of $1.5645.

In Frankfurt, the dollar opened at 1.5278 German marks, down from the previous close of 1.5303.

In Zurich, the dollar opened at 1.2510 Swiss francs, down from the previous close of 1.2545.

In Paris, the dollar opened at 5.1647 French francs, down from the previous close of 5.1660.

In Brussels, the dollar opened at 31.50 Belgian francs, up from the previous close of 31.49.

The Italian lira rate was unavailable.

In Tokyo, financial markets were closed for a public holiday.

In Singapore, the dollar closed at S$1.4095, up from the previous close at 1.4090.

In Hong Kong, the dollar closed at HK$7.7325, unchanged from the previous close.

Gold opened at US$381.50 an ounce in Zurich, unchanged from the previous close, while in London it started trading at $381.50, unchanged from the previous close. In Hong Kong, gold closed at US$381.65, up from the previous close at $381.05.

Silver opened at $4.98 in Zurich, up from the previous close at $4.93, while in London it opened at $4.90, unchanged from the previous close.