Euro higher hoping for Greek deal (MarketWatch) (31-01-2012)

FRANKFURT — The dollar fell as European leaders notched a widely-expected agreement aimed at enshrining stricter and more enforceable debt limits and Greece’s prime minister said a deal with private debt holders was likely by the end of the week.

The ICE dollar index traded at 78.890, down from late Monday’s 79.220 while the US dollar edged lately up to ¥76.40 from late Monday’s ¥76.31.

The euro traded at $1.3178, up from $1.3117 late Monday in North America, after Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos appeared hopeful of a deal with private holders of Greece’s sovereign debt by the end of the week. The single currency lost 0.1% to buy 1.2047 Swiss francs, near the 1.20 franc floor for the currency cross established by the Swiss National Bank last year.

Against the Swiss franc, the dollar fell 0.3% to 91.44 centimes. There are 100 centimes in a franc.

The British pound also saw gains, rising to $1.5772 from $1.5701 Monday.

Source: MarketWatch