Stock, Bond Rally Boosts Dollar

The dollar edged up Thursday as traders paid little heed to the beltway budget battle, spurred by rallies in the U.S. stock and bond markets.

The dollar was aided in its climb against the Japanese yen by a sizable cut in Japan’s trade surplus. It was helped higher against the German mark by falling interest rates in Europe.

In late New York trading, the dollar bought 102.09 yen, up from 101.38 at the same time Wednesday. The dollar also traded at 1.4069 German marks, up from 1.4062.

Exchange Currency in Dollars Dollar in foreign currency Canada .7384 1.3543 France .2060 4.8545 Germany .7108 1.4069 Great Britain 1.5557 .6428 Italy .000629 1591.00 Japan .009795 102.09 Mexico .129534 7.7200