Dollar Gains On Weakened Pound

The dollar fell slightly against currencies Wednesday but rose sharply against the British pound, which dropped on rumors of central-bank selling and a poll suggesting an indecisive election May 1.

The poll published in the Guardian newspaper showed the opposition Labor Party leading the governing Conservatives by only 5 points, the slimmest margin in more than two years.

“Sterling was unnerved by that poll showing Labor’s lead is narrowing,” said Stephen Jury, manager of foreign exchange at Union Bank of Switzerland in New York.

Exchange Currency in Dollars Dollar in foreign currency Canada .7182 1.3924 France .1731 5.7770 Germany .5838 1.7130 Great Britain 1.6343 .6119 Italy .000587 1703.00 Japan .007928 126.13 Mexico .127340 7.8530