Dollar Hits 4-Year High Vs. Yen

The dollar surpassed 123 yen for the first time in four years Wednesday on intensified fears of Japanese banking problems, but the U.S. currency ended mostly lower in other currency dealings.

Strength in the mark and the pound as well as an abrupt decline in the U.S. stock market late Wednesday contributed to the dollar’s mixed showing.

“That late sell-off in the Dow certainly had an impact,” said Robert Katz, a currency dealer at MTB Bank Corp. in New York. “It was a pretty quick move.”

Exchange Currency in Dollars Dollar in foreign currency

Canada .7435 1.3450

France .1801 5.5540

Germany .6078 1.6454

Great Britain 1.6396 .6099

Italy .000617 1621.00

Japan .008114 123.25

Mexico .127943 7.8160