Euro steady vs US dollar

BERLIN: The 17-nation euro is steady versus the US dollar amid increasing confidence in measures being taken by European leaders to deal with the financial crisis.

The common currency bought $1.3465 in morning European trading Thursday, unchanged from late in New York the night before, though lower than the high of $1.3538 it reached Wednesday _ the strongest level in around two months.

The euro has suffered since November due to worries over the eurozone debt crisis, but has moved higher over the past week on speculation among investors that policymakers will soon enact a more aggressive plan to combat countries' debt problems.

The British pound dropped slightly to $1.5929 from $1.5990 the night before, while the dollar rose to purchase 82.11 Japanese yen from 82.06 in New York.