NEW YORK: The dollar extended gains slightly against the yen on Thursday after US data showed fewer Americans than expected applied for first-time jobless benefits in the latest week.

The data helped the dollar edge up to 76.75 yen from around 76.65 yen. It was about 0.2 percent firmer on the day.

Separate data showed the US economy grew at a 1.3 percent rate in the second quarter, above a prior 1 percent estimate.

Copyright Reuters, 2011