TOKYO: The dollar eased in Asia on Friday as investors awaited US jobs data that could give clues about the timing of a pull-back of the Fed's huge stimulus drive.
The greenback fetched 99.77 yen in Tokyo afternoon trade against 100.12 yen in New York Thursday afternoon.
The euro strengthened to $1.3130 from $1.3117, a six-week low reached in US trade, while it slipped to 131.01 yen from 131.35 yen.
A senior dealer at a major European bank said the dollar was likely to bounce in and out of 100-yen territory during the session, with possible sell-offs driven by investors who had built up bets on the greenback soaring higher.
As private jobs data Thursday pointed to an improving labour market, analysts and markets are keenly awaiting Friday's official jobs report for August.
"The US data over the past few days would suggest that Fed tapering at the next FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting is becoming increasingly likely, but tonight's payrolls are crucial to the Fed's decision," National Australia Bank said.
It could be the last piece of key data published before the next Fed policy meeting set for September 17-18, it said in a note.
The euro's gains came after it plunged Thursday following comments from Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank, who said the bank's policy board had discussed a further interest rate cut amid worries about the eurozone's recovery.
The ECB kept euro interest rates on hold after confirmation that the single currency zone had pulled out of an 18-month recession.
"While the ECB's growth forecasts have been revised a touch higher, risks are still to the downside (for the euro)," the Australian bank said.
The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Pacific currencies.
The Indian rupee gained for a third day, rallying to 66.12 to the dollar Friday afternoon from 66.24 a day earlier.
The dollar eased to 11,110 Indonesian rupiah from 11,565 rupiah and to 1,094 South Korean won from 1,097 won.
The greenback also fell to 32.43 Thai baht from 32.25 baht and to Tw$29.75 from Tw$29.80.
But it rose to Sg$1.2800 from Sg$1.2775 and to 44.51 Philippine pesos from 44.32 pesos.
The Australian dollar fell to 91.33 US cents from 91.56 cents. The Chinese yuan traded at 16.31 yen against 16.27.
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