LONDON, Dec 9 - The dollar matched all-time lows against the euro and hit 11 year lows against sterling on Tuesday as markets waited to see if the U.S. Federal Reserve would lend the greenback support with a hint of rate rises. With little expectation of a rate move markets are focused on whether the Fed will drop a promise to keep borrowing costs low for "a considerable period". A survey found 10 of 22 top bond dealers on Wall Street believe the Fed will drop its pledge. That could be seen as an early signal of the end of loose monetary policy and might take some pressure off the greenback from the money market side, though the greenback would likely remain weighed down by current account deficit worries.
The dollar fell to new record lows against the euro for seven consecutive trading day by Monday. By 0730 GMT, the dollar was near Monday's record low just below $1.2235 . It was down 0.10 percent from New York's close. It was down similarly against the yen at the day's low of 107.15, near a three-year low at 107.08 set Monday. Sterling also benefited from the dollar's broad-based downtrend, rising to levels not seen since the aftermath of sterling's 1992 Black Wednesday debacle and its exit from the European Union's Exchange Rate Mechanism. The Fed is due to make its announcement at 1915 GMT. Before that, Germany's ZEW measure of investor confidence is due at 1000 GMT and the Richmond Fed business activity index is due at 1500 GMT. Also at 1500 GMT, the Institute of Suppply Management releases its semannual survey of purchasing and supply executives, with forecasts for manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. For full report on major currencies click on [FRX/] For previous updates on currency moves click on [USD/-M]//