(Updates prices)
* Dollar firms after dipping to lowest since March 3
* Euro strengthens
* British pound tests $1.40, then eases
* Graphic: World FX rates https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
By David Henry
NEW YORK, April 20 (Reuters) - The dollar firmed on Tuesday
amid a mix of gains and losses against major currencies as
interest rates in the United States moved in a tight range and
the outlook for vaccinations in Europe improved.
After touching its lowest level in nearly seven weeks in
Asia trading, the dollar index =USD rose 0.2% at 91.186 in
mid-day trading in New York.
The euro EUR=EBS was flat at $1.2036 after rising nearly
0.4% and the British pound GBP=D3 backed off 0.4% to $1.3943
after gaining 1% on Monday and touching $1.40.
The dollar has fallen in April as U.S. bond yields retreated
from the 14-month highs of 1.776% reached last month. The
currency and yield declines have come as evidence mounted that
the Federal Reserve would be slower about tightening monetary
policy than it had appeared to the market, analysts said.
The 10-year Treasury yield US10YT=RR dropped to 1.56% at
midday after trading in a narrow range around 1.60%.
The currency and interest rate markets could be relatively
calm for another few weeks as the Fed and the European Central
Bank each take their time about adjusting their rate policies,
said Mazen Issa, senior currency strategist at TD Securities.
"There really isn't a strong catalyst in either direction
this month to really break us out of ranges," Issa said.
Some encouragement for the euro came from the announcement
that the European Union has secured an additional 100 million
doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by BioNTech 22UAy.DE
and Pfizer PFE.N . The vaccination news suggests that the pace of Europe's
recovery from the pandemic will begin to catch up with the
United States and its story of faster growth, Issa said.
"The FX market is moving away from this idea of full-on U.S.
exceptionalism to being in a little bit more in limbo now," he
said.
Against the Japanese yen, the dollar edged up to 108.10
after having broken below 108 for the first time since March 5.
The commodity-linked Norwegian crown hit its strongest since
2018 versus the dollar and also reached its strongest since
January 2020 versus the euro NOK=D3 EURNOK=D3 .
Bitcoin BTC=BTSP rose 0.2% to $55,790.
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Currency bid prices at 1:04PM (1704 GMT)
Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid
Previous Change
Session
Dollar index =USD 91.1860 91.0490 +0.16% 1.339% +91.2360 +90.8560
Euro/Dollar EUR=EBS $1.2033 $1.2036 -0.02% -1.52% +$1.2080 +$1.2025
Dollar/Yen JPY=EBS 108.1000 108.1500 -0.02% +4.65% +108.5450 +107.9750
Euro/Yen EURJPY= 130.06 130.14 -0.06% +2.47% +130.9600 +130.0100
Dollar/Swiss CHF=EBS 0.9157 0.9153 +0.04% +3.50% +0.9169 +0.9136
Sterling/Dollar GBP=D3 $1.3943 $1.3989 -0.36% +2.03% +$1.4008 +$1.3934
Dollar/Canadian CAD=D3 1.2594 1.2531 +0.50% -1.10% +1.2596 +1.2479
Aussie/Dollar AUD=D3 $0.7733 $0.7755 -0.26% +0.54% +$0.7815 +$0.7730
Euro/Swiss EURCHF= 1.1019 1.1016 +0.03% +1.96% +1.1047 +1.1010
Euro/Sterling EURGBP= 0.8628 0.8605 +0.27% -3.46% +0.8643 +0.8603
NZ NZD=D3 $0.7179 $0.7180 -0.03% -0.04% +$0.7229 +$0.7177
Dollar/Dollar
Dollar/Norway NOK=D3 8.3485 8.2965 +0.63% -2.77% +8.3590 +8.2520
Euro/Norway EURNOK= 10.0454 9.9866 +0.59% -4.03% +10.0559 +9.9532
Dollar/Sweden SEK= 8.4319 8.3980 +0.36% +2.87% +8.4406 +8.3615
Euro/Sweden EURSEK= 10.1464 10.1099 +0.36% +0.69% +10.1583 +10.0990
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World FX rates https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
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