Singapore: The dollar slipped in Asia Tuesday following a 10-week rally, while gains in the euro were capped by concerns about slackening European economic growth.
The greenback bought 108.74 yen in Singapore afternoon trade against 108.94 yen in New York late Monday. The euro rose to $1.2851 from $1.2850, while slipping to 139.72 yen from 139.78 yen.
Japanese financial markets are closed for a public holiday.
The dollar's upward momentum has taken a breather after last week hitting highs above 109 yen not seen since August 2008.
The gains came after the the Federal Reserve hinted that interest rates could rise further than expected when they are eventually hiked, probably in mid-2015.
Singapore's United Overseas Bank said the dollar was facing some selling in Asian trade after a "surprisingly weak set of US housing data" released on Monday.
The National Association of Realtors said existing-home sales in the US fell 1.8 percent in August, following four straight months of gains.
The euro saw an uptick in Asia after hitting 14-month lows a day earlier as traders digested a speech by European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi to the European Parliament.
Draghi dismissed market disappointment about demand from banks for a new lending programme launched last week, saying it was on track to pump more liquidity into the financial system but needed time to take full effect.
He noted that the eurozone recovery was sputtering but said the central bank would keep its accommodative monetary policy in place for some time.
The dollar rose against most Asia-Pacific currencies.
It climbed to Sg$1.2672 from Sg$1.2655 in Tokyo on Monday, to 11,978 Indonesian rupiah from 11,961 rupiah, to 60.89 Indian rupees from 60.77 rupees, and to 44.57 Philippine pesos from 44.42 pesos.
It rose to Tw$30.23 from Tw$30.19 while easing to 1,040.64 South Korean won from 1,040.75 won.
The Australian dollar stood at 89.08 US cents from 89.36 cents, while the Chinese yuan bought 17.71 yen from 17.70 yen.
