Dollar down in Europe, mixed in Asia

LONDON (UPI): Deflated by relatively strong figures for German gross domestic product, the U.S. dollar was trading weaker across Europe yesterday morning ahead of Friday's release of U.S. jobs data.

In Frankfurt, it opened at 1.4795 marks, a drop from the previous close of 1.4837, while in London the U.S. currency saw a less marked fall to 1.4812 from the previous finish of 1.4822.

Against the Japanese yen the dollar changed hands in London at 109.03, up from the previous London close of 108.90 yen.

Germany's second-quarter GDP showed higher-than-forecast growth of 1.1 percent, compared to market predictions of 0.5 percent.

Foreign exchange analysts said the greenback was also suffering limited upward momentum ahead of Friday's non-farm payrolls figures.

The British pound traded in narrow ranges against both the mark and dollar as the market awaited the outcome of Wednesday's monetary policy meeting between the Treasury and the Bank of England.

Sterling was quoted at 2.3274 German marks from its previous finish of 2.3231 marks, and against the dollar at $1.5712, up from $1.5673.

In Zurich, the dollar opened at 1.2050 Swiss francs, down from the previous close of 1.2075.

In Paris, the dollar opened at 5.0755 French francs, down from the previous close of 5.0810.

In Brussels, the dollar opened at 30.52 Belgian francs from 30.58.

In Milan, the dollar opened at 1,511 Italian lira, down from the previous close of 1,514.74.

In Tokyo, the dollar closed at 109.03 Japanese yen, up from the previous close of 108.93.

In Singapore, the dollar closed at S$1.4070, down from the previous close at S$1.4076.

In Hong Kong, the dollar closed at HK$7.7335, up from the previous close of HK$7.7327.

Gold opened at US$386.05 an ounce in Zurich, up from the previous close at $385.50, while in London it was unchanged at $385.75. In Hong Kong gold closed at US$386.15, from the previous $385.95.

Silver opened at US$5.19 in both Zurich and London, up from $5.17 in both financial centers.