LONDON, 8 November 2003 — The dollar dipped against the euro here yesterday as rumors of possible terrorist attacks on US interests eclipsed the impact of stronger than expected US job creation figures. The single European currency in late-day deals was at 1.1501 dollars, up from 1.1415 in New York late on Thursday. The dollar was trading at 109.32 yen, against 110.17 on Thursday.
Meanwhile, European stocks bolted higher yesterday. The London FTSE 100 index rose 1.22 percent to 4,376.9, in Paris the CAC 40 ended the session on a gain of 1.20 percent at 3,453.13, while in Frankfurt the DAX was up 1.3 percent at 3,782.56 at the close. The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of leading euro-zone shares won 1.18 percent to 2,657.60 points. In New York, the technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite Index was up 6 points, or 0.32 percent, at 1,983 after hitting a high of 1,992.27, a level not seen since Jan. 15, 2002, earlier in the session.
The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average eased 3 points, or 0.03 percent, to 9,854. The broad Standard & Poor’s 500 Index shed 0.79 of a point, or 0.07 percent, to 1,057.
Asia’s major stock markets were mostly higher yesterday.
Oil prices bounced back again yesterday in a volatile market. In London, the price of Brent North Sea crude oil for December delivery gained 45 cents to $28.86 per barrel. New York’s reference light sweet crude December contract rose 44 cents to $30.70 per barrel in morning trade.