Dollar Rebounds, Gains Ground

The dollar recovered from early losses to end mostly higher Thursday, strengthening on surprisingly weak Japanese economic data and growing fear about the credibility of Europe’s planned single currency.

The dollar was further helped by a report from the Bridge News service quoting an unidentified source as saying Japan’s central bank feels the Japanese economy is too fragile to withstand an increase in interest rates.

Japan’s interest rates have hovered at record lows for more than 1-1/2 years, which has depressed demand for yen.

Exchange Currency in Dollars Dollar in foreign currency Canada .7245 1.3803 France .1745 5.7310 Germany .5894 1.6966 Great Britain 1.6404 .6096 Italy .000595 1679.50 Japan .008600 116.28 Mexico .126534 7.9030