Dollar dominate euro

The dollar rose sharply on Friday against a steadily weakening euro as persistent concerns over Greek creditworthiness weighed on the single currency, dealers said. They said the euro had been on the defensive since early this month as Greece's massive debt problems highlight similar difficulties in other eurozone countries trying to both repay borrowings and keep their economies on track. At the same time, the prospects of a solid US economic recovery and possibly higher interest rates next year make the dollar a good bet, they added. In late London trade, the euro was at 1.4281 dollars, giving up early gains to trade at levels last seen in early September. The euro had earlier run as high as 1.4397 dollars, up from 1.4338 dollars in New York late on Thursday as players took quick profits on the dollar. Against the Japanese currency, the dollar firmed to 90.47 yen from 89.77 yen on Thursday.