Dollar Drifts In Edgy Trading

The dollar drifted to a mostly lower finish Wednesday in edgy trading that focused more on relationships between the German mark and the Japanese yen than on the U.S. currency.

Dealers said the dollar gravitated toward recent levels in subdued activity leading up to a long holiday weekend for Easter and Passover observances.

Late in New York, the dollar was quoted at 1.3995 marks, down from 1.4015 at Tuesday’s close.

Against the yen, the dollar fared slightly better in New York where it was changing hands at 83.68 yen in late trading, up from 83.60 late Tuesday.

Exchange Currency in Dollars Dollar in foreign currency Canada .7262 1.3771 France .2045 4.8905 Germany .7122 1.4041< Great Britain 1.5895 .6291 Italy .000580 1725.00 Japan .011940 83.75 Mexico .160514 6.2300