Dollar Edges Up Vs. Yen, Mark

The dollar edged up against most of the major currencies Thursday afternoon, reversing earlier losses. The gains came on fears of U.S. and Japanese central bank intervention and speculation over an imminent interest rate cut in Japan.

The dollar’s rise from morning lows was aided by a report that U.S. work force productivity rose to its best quarterly performance in nine years.

In late New York trading, the dollar was quoted at 98.98 Japanese yen, barely up from 98.83 late Wednesday but above the late London rate of 98.54 yen and the late Tokyo rate of 98.70 yen. The dollar also nudged up to 1.4787 German marks in New York from 1.4768.

Exchange Currency in Dollars Dollar in foreign currency Canada .7449 1.3425 France .1965 5.0880 Germany .6766 1.4780 Great Britain 1.5480 .6460 Italy .000617 1620.00 Japan .010110 98.91 Mexico .160064 6.2475