The U.S. dollar dipped slightly against the euro Friday as markets waited for American jobs data due later in the day.
The 12-nation euro stood at US$1.3115 in morning European trading, marginally above the US$1.3108 it bought in New York late Thursday.
The dollar was slightly stronger against the Japanese yen, rising to 105.41 yen from 105.28 yen. The British pound was unchanged at US$1.9067.
The U.S. currency had strengthened slightly Thursday as the European Central Bank left its interest rates unchanged and the U.S. Labor Department reported better-than-expected productivity and jobless figures.
Following the ECB's decision to keep key interest rates at 2 percent, bank President Jean-Claude Trichet reiterated the bank's concern about the recent surge in strength of the euro.
"High and volatile oil prices and persistent global imbalances pose downside risks to growth," he said. "As regards exchange rates, we confirm our position -- expressed when the euro rose sharply -- that such moves are unwelcome and undesirable for economic growth."
On Friday, markets were awaiting the release of February non-farm payrolls data from the United States. Bright prospects for the U.S. economy tend to be positive for the dollar.
Analysts have credited the dollar's recent strength to positive words this week from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan in testimony to Congress. However, they say Greenspan's words alone will not be enough to bolster the dollar.
The euro soared from about US$1.20 in September to an all-time high of US$1.3667 at the end of December, powered by concerns over the U.S. budget and trade deficits. The dollar has since regained some ground, but those worries remain and analysts think the recovery could be temporary.