The dollar hit its highest since December 2002 against the yen on Thursday due to expectations that U.S. interest rates will rise later this year, while the Australian dollar struck a six-week low following disappointing capital expenditure data. The greenback soared as high as 124.30 yen JPY=, and last stood at 123.71 yen. "Macro funds betting on a September Fed rate hike have increased their long exposure to the dollar, which was the main driving force behind the rise this week," said Yunosuke Ikeda, head of FX strategy at Nomura Securities, which has many hedge fund clients. Traders said they were watching out for more verbal intervention to steady the yen after Japanese policymakers cautioned markets on Wednesday against pushing the yen down too rapidly. Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of Seven industrialized nations will discuss recent foreign exchange movements when they meet in Germany this week, a senior Canadian official said on Monday. Nomura's Ikeda said he doubts if the dollar/yen pair will test the 125 yen-mark anytime soon. "I expect hedge funds will lock in profits before next week's U.S. nonfarm payrolls (due on Friday next week)." The Australian dollar skidded more than half a U.S. cent after weaker-than-expected business investment figures fueled expectations for more easing by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The Aussie fell to as low as $0.7671 AUD=D4 from $0.7755 before the data, hitting its lowest level in six weeks. It last traded at $0.7711. The U.S. currency, however, shed some ground against the euro amid tentative hopes that cash-strapped Greece may be nearing a deal to secure fresh funding. The euro bounced off a one-month low of $1.0819 EUR= to reach $1.0923, snapping a recent string of falls. The Greek government said on Wednesday it is starting to draft an agreement with its euro zone partners and the International Monetary Fund that would pave the way for aid. However, European officials have dismissed this as wishful thinking. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said he was surprised by the upbeat tone from some Greek government officials. Still, the steadier euro saw the dollar index .DXY dip to 97.125, from a one-month peak of 97.775. Source: Reuters
