The US dollar was firmer against most major currencies, hitting two-week highs versus the yen, as it built up on gains overnight following the release of upbeat US consumer confidence data, dealers said. Overnight, the US Conference Board announced consumer confidence rose to 103.6 in December, up from a downwardly revised reading of 98.3 reading for November, and above the consensus forecast of 102.6. The data helped spur renewed confidence in the dollar, as it may allow the US Federal Reserve to stick to the rate hiking cycle for a longer period, dealers said. Mizuho Trust and Banking foreign exchange dealer Kazuyuki Kato said heavy capital outflow from Japanese investors also augured well for the dollar. "Retail and investment funds are still showing strong interest in buying high-yielding foreign currencies, such as the dollar and Aussie dollar," he said. "The buying of high-yielding overseas assets may gain further momentum in the new year." At 1.25 pm in Tokyo (0425 GMT), the dollar was changing hands at 117.90 yen, from 117.74 yen earlier in Sydney and 117.75 in late New York trading overnight. The euro was quoted at 1.1851 usd, compared to 1.1845 in Sydney and 1.1839 in late New York. Euro-yen was trading at 139.72 versus 139.45 in Sydney. "The euro has a good chance of reclaiming the 140 yen level thanks to asset allocation by Japanese investors, although it seems a bit difficult for the euro to reach 143 yen," Kato of Mizuho Trust and Banking said.