The euro was slightly higher against the dollar Friday at the end of a year that has seen it slip back from record levels against the U.S. currency. The euro bought $1.1853 in early European trading, up from $1.1842 in New York late Thursday. The British pound also was up, rising to $1.7263 from $1.7248. The dollar slipped against the Japanese currency, falling to 117.27 yen from 117.83 yen. The euro had slipped a little against the dollar on Thursday, giving up gains in thin holiday-season trading after data suggested that the U.S. economy remains strong. The euro reached an all-time high of $1.3667 on Dec. 30, 2004, but has dropped back since then. Despite ongoing worries about the U.S. trade and budget deficits, the dollar has been helped by a string of interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve and by strong U.S. economic data.