The euro held firm against the dollar and yen in Asian trade on Thursday after dropping overnight amid concerns about political upheaval in debt-hit Greece and strains on Spain's banking sector. The euro bought $1.2948 and 103.28 yen in Tokyo morning trade, stronger than $1.2944 and 102.98 yen in New York late Wednesday. The dollar strengthened against the Japanese currency, changing hands at 79.74 yen against 79.69 yen. Despite a breather …

The dollar was steady against other major currencies in Asian trade on Thursday as investors looked to a Bank of Japan policy meeting amid speculation of further monetary easing. The euro bought $1.3217 and 107.49 yen in Tokyo morning trade, almost flat with New York trade late Wednesday. The dollar was also little changed at 81.33 yen. The greenback was likely to move within the 81.00-81.60 yen range on Thursday as the market awaited …

Asian stocks rose on Tuesday morning thanks to bargain hunting and a positive lead from Wall Street, while Japanese stocks were supported by a stable yen-dollar. Expectations of the imminent defeat of Moamer Kadhafi by rebels in oil-rich Libya also sent crude prices lower. However, while regional equities were in the green investors remain nervous about the state of the global economy, which pushed gold prices to a record above $1,900 an ounce. …

Major US stock indices declined Wednesday after government data showed consumers were reluctant to take on more debt, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke hedged his bets on economic recovery. “The economy seems to have stabilized and is beginning to grow again,” Bernanke said in a speech from Dallas, Texas. “But we are far from being out of the woods.” Bernanke cited high unemployment, rampant home foreclosures and poor credit access for …

The US economy seems to be recovering but it is “far from being out of the woods,” Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday. In prepared remarks to business people in Dallas, Bernanke said that the financial crisis, the worst one since the Great Depression of 1930s, looks to “be mostly behind us.” “The economy seems to have stabilized and is beginning to grow again,” he said. “But we are far from being out of the woods.” Many Americans …

Oil prices rose in Asian trade as traders capitalised on a weakening US dollar, analysts said. New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in January, rose 35 cents to USD 74.28 a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for January delivery climbed 57 cents to USD 77.00. A weakening greenback was providing impetus for traders to buy crude, analysts said. "The dollar is weaker this morning... people tend to look at the dollar for direction," …