LONDON, 17 October 2006 — The dollar traded flat against the euro yesterday as dealers assessed the outlook for US interest rates ahead of key inflation data expected today and tomorrow.
The European single currency firmed slightly to 1.2518 dollars in late European trading from 1.2510 dollars late in New York on Friday. The dollar fell to 119.25 yen from 119.63 yen late on Friday.
The euro was changing hands at 1.2518 dollars against 1.2510 dollars on Friday, 149.28 yen (149.69), 0.6727 pounds (0.6741) and 1.5916 Swiss francs (1.5928). The dollar stood at 19.25 yen (119.63) and 1.2715 Swiss francs (1.2729).
Meanwhile, London’s FTSE 100 index closed at its highest level for more than five years yesterday in the wake of a record run on Wall Street which also lifted Asian stocks. The FTSE gained 0.25 percent to close at 6,172.40 points, its highest level since February 2001. The Paris CAC 40 added 0.16 percent to 5,361.97 and in Frankfurt the DAX rose 0.16 percent to finish at 6,186.54. The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of leading euro zone shares was essentially flat at 4,001.97.
In New York, at 1549 GMT, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 9.36 points (0.08 percent) at 11,969.87, after closing Friday at a record high of 11,960.51.
Asian stocks closed higher yesterday.