Dollar trades lower across Europe

LONDON (UPI): The U.S. dollar was trading lower across Europe yesterday morning, as investors focused their attention on a Japanese television interview with Eisuke Sakakibara, head of the finance ministry's international finance bureau.

In London, the U.S. currency was quoted at 1.5597 German marks, up on the previous finish of 1.5585. The dollar traded at 112.45 Japanese yen from the previous finish of 112.79.

The German mark retained its easier tone against other major currencies as it was announced that German jobless had risen an adjusted 50,000 in November, above market expectations of a 25,000 increase.

Sterling was steady at lower levels against the mark and the dollar ahead of the release of November's Confederation of British Industry Distributive Trades Survey and Bank of England Governor Eddie George's testimony to the Treasury Select Committee.

Sterling was being quoted at 2.5607 German marks from its previous finish of 2.5652 marks.

In Frankfurt, the dollar opened at 1.5587 German marks, down from the previous close of 1.5591.

In Zurich, the dollar opened at 1.3185 Swiss francs, down from the previous close of 1.3235.

In London, the pound opened at US$1.6415, up from the previous close of $1.6382.

In Paris, the dollar opened at 5.2655 French francs, down from the previous close of 5.2775.

In Brussels, the dollar opened at 32.16 Belgian francs, up from the previous close of 31.20.

In Milan, the dollar opened at 1,532 Italian lire, down from the previous close of 1,533.64.

In Tokyo, the dollar closed at 112.42 Japanese yen, down from the previous close of 113.25.

In Singapore, the dollar closed at S$1.4019, down from the previous close at $1.4022.

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

Gold opened at $369.50 an ounce in Zurich, down from the previous close at $370.65, while in London it started trading at $371.00, unchanged from the previous close. It closed at $368.95 in Hong Kong, unchanged from the previous close.

Silver opened at $4.77 in Zurich, down from the previous close at $4.81, while in London it opened at $4.83, unchanged from the previous close.