CURRENCY : Dollar Mixed in Cautious Trading; Gold Ends Higher

The dollar turned mixed Thursday on worldwide foreign exchanges as dealers awaited the December merchandise trade report from the Commerce Department.

Currency dealers said internal influences continued to dominate the markets, although most of the attention centered on the release of the December trade data this morning.

In London, the British pound fell to $1.7595 from $1.7640 late Wednesday. Sterling fetched $1.76075 in New York, up from $1.75775.

Tokyo markets were closed for a national holiday. In London, though, the dollar fell to 128.95 Japanese yen from 129.03 yen in Tokyo on Wednesday. In New York, the dollar stood at 129.2335 yen, up from 129.045

Other late dollar rates in New York, compared to late Wednesday’s rates, included: 1.69085 West German marks, down from 1.69225; 1.3895 Swiss francs, up from 1.3875; 1.26445 Canadian dollars, down from 1.27005; 5.7210 French francs, up from 5.7165, and 1,248.20 Italian lire, up from 1,248.00.

Gold prices also varied. At Republic National Bank in New York, the late bid for gold was $440.50 an ounce, up 20 cents from Wednesday.

On the New York Commodity Exchange, gold bullion for current delivery fell to $440 an ounce from $440.60 late Wednesday. Earlier, in London, gold fell to a late bid price of $441.50 from $442. In Zurich, Switzerland, gold closed at $441, down from $441.50.

Gold closed in Hong Kong at a bid price of $443.93, down from $446.

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