The dollar, which had lost momentum after weak durable goods data out of the United States, strengthened after the euro and pound slipped.
A third day of gains for Brazil's real came after the Senate gave its final seal of approval for a landmark pension reform on Wednesday. The bill now awaits presidential ratification, which is expected by November 19.
That follows months of political wrangling that whipsawed the currency. The reform aims to generate targeted savings of 800 trillion reais over the next decade and help stabilize the country's public finances and boost growth.