Euro a bit weaker; dollar up on yen

BERLIN: The euro is a little lower against the dollar, while the U.S. currency has gained ground against the yen following what appeared to be a new currency market intervention by the Bank of Japan.

The 16-nation euro bought $1.3317 in Friday morning European trading _ down from $1.3335 in New York late Thursday, when it was hurt by weak economic news from Ireland and elsewhere.

The British pound slipped to $1.5644 from $1.5696. The dollar was up to 84.72 yen from 84.38 yen.

Traders said Japan intervened to weaken the yen Friday for the second time in just over a week _ signaling Tokyo's determination to limit damage to its exporters from the impact of a strong currency.