The euro fell against the dollar on Thursday as investors drew breath ahead of Friday's US non-farm payrolls data.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six other major currencies, rose from 78.925 late Wednesday to 79.010 late on Thursday.

The euro bought $1.3138 compared $1.3159 late the previous evening.

If US jobs data indicates signs of economic recovery this would be seen as good news for global currencies, excluding the dollar which would therefore be expected to decline.

Meanwhile, the pound traded at $1.5799, having fallen from $1.5834 the day before.

Notably, the Australian dollar leapt to its highest point since the beginning of September, valued at $1.0757 against the US dollar. The currency is widely said to be linked closely with economic growth expectations.

The pound was unchanged against the European common currency, buying 1.2021 euros, having reached an intra-day high of 1.21 euros.


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