LONDON/TOKYO--The euro firmed against the U.S. dollar on Friday following progress in the Greece debt saga, as traders looked ahead to U.S. manufacturing data.
In London deals, the European single currency rose to US$1.4526 from US$1.4499 late in New York on Thursday.
Against the yen, the dollar gained to 80.69 yen from 80.55 yen on Thursday.
In London on Friday, the euro changed hands at US$1.4526 against US$1.4499 late in New York on Thursday, at 117.21 yen (116.81), 0.9079 pounds (0.9034) and 1.2293 Swiss francs (1.2184). The U.S. dollar stood at 80.69 yen (80.55) and 0.8462 Swiss francs (0.8403). The pound was at US$1.5998 (1.6047).
In Asia Wednesday, the euro rose further against the dollar, helped by easing concerns over Greece's debt crisis, dealers said.
The yen showed some resilience on buybacks after coming under pressure on Tuesday due to news that ratings agency Moody's could cut Japan's sovereign debt rating within three months.
The euro bought US$1.4426 in Tokyo afternoon trade, against US$1.4397 in New York late Tuesday and the European single currency fetched 117.28 yen, almost flat from 117.26 yen. The dollar eased to 81.30 yen from 81.50 yen.
The greenback was broadly softer against regional Asian currencies, falling to S$1.2299 from 1.2319 on Tuesday, to 1,075.28 Korean won from 1,076.95 and to NT$28.59 from 28.69. The unit also sagged to 8,534.50 Indonesian rupiah from 8,537.50, to 30.28 Thai baht from 30.30 and to 43.14 Philippine pesos from 43.30.
