Late Dealings Alter Dollar’s Strength

The dollar hit its fourth straight three-year high against the mark Friday on strong U.S. jobs data, but a rebound in the German currency left the dollar mixed in late foreign-exchange dealings.

Broad weakness in the yen, rumors of central bank selling of dollars and a senior Bundesbank official’s assertion that the dollar’s appreciation against the mark was complete all contributed to the U.S. currency’s pullback.

The dollar still settled at a five-week high vs. the British pound, which fell broadly on lower inflation prospects and growing political uncertainty in Britain, where the opposition Labor Party could win elections that must be called in less than three months.