Dollar pares gains vs yen after US jobless claims data

NEW YORK: The dollar pared gains against the yen on Thursday after data showed new US claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week.

The jobless claims data, however, was not enough to change perceptions that the labor market was improving.

The dollar fell to 81.54 yen, remaining up 0.6 percent on the day, versus 81.64 prior to the data, according to Reuters data.

The euro briefly pared gains against the dollar before rising again. It had fallen to $1.3236 after the data versus $1.3244 prior to its release. It last traded up 0.9 percent at $1.3258, according to Reuters data.

The US Labor Department on Friday will release March data on nonfarm payrolls, a key mover of markets.