* Graphic: World FX rates in 2019 http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
By Hideyuki Sano
TOKYO, Dec 26 (Reuters) - The dollar edged up slightly
against the yen on Thursday while risk-sensitive currencies held
firm on hopes of easing trade tensions between the United States
and China and a pick up in the global growth.
Against the yen, the dollar was 0.2% higher at 109.53 yen
JPY= and within a striking distance of a six-month high of
109.73 touched earlier this month. The euro barely moved at
$1.10905 EUR= .
The Australian dollar was firm at $0.6927 AUD=D4 , a shade
below its four-month peak of $0.6939 touched earlier this month
while the kiwi traded at $0.6648 NZD=D4 , near its highest
level in five months.
Global currency markets remained in holiday mood following
Christmas Day on Wednesday and with several centres still closed
for Boxing Day on Thursday.
However, traders have taken a positive lead after Washington
and Beijing struck to an interim agreement on trade earlier this
month, which is expected to continue to underpin risk assets.
In currency markets, stronger risk appetite usually
translates to more selling in safe-haven currencies, such as the
yen, against currencies leveraged more to growth, particularly
that in China, such as the Australian dollar.
"While global share prices have been rallying, the currency
market has seen limited reaction so far but I think currencies
will have a catch-up to do," said Koichi Kobayashi, chief
manager of forex at Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank.
China says it is in close touch with the United States on a
trade deal signing ceremony, after U.S. President Donald Trump
said on Tuesday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping will
have a ceremony to sign the recently struck trade deal.
The offshore yuan strengthened slightly to 6.9895 yuan per
dollar CNH= , up about 0.09%.
Elsewhere, sterling traded at $1.2996 GBP=D4 , up slightly
from its levels before Christmas holidays though still way below
its Dec. 13 peak of $1.3516.