CURRENCY : Dollar Edges Higher on Internal Market Factors

The dollar rose mildly against most key currencies Wednesday, but analysts attributed the strength to internal market influences and said trading remained light because of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur.

Currency analysts said the dollar’s behavior reflected technical strategies among professional money brokers and was not a response to outside news.

Commerce Department reports on August inflation, personal income and housing construction had no impact on foreign exchange dealings, they said.

In Tokyo, the dollar edged up 0.03 yen to 134.18 yen. Later in London, it was quoted at 134.25 yen. By the end of trading in New York the dollar fetched 134.29 yen, up from 134.08 yen late Tuesday.

The British pound weakened against the dollar in London, falling to $1.6755 from $1.6865 late Tuesday. Later in New York, the pound fetched $1.6737, versus $1.6817 late Tuesday.

Other late dollar rates in New York versus levels late Tuesday: 1.8744 West German marks, up from 1.8669; 1.5820 Swiss francs, up from 1.5767; 1.2158 Canadian dollars, down from 1.2183; 6.3650 French francs, up from 6.3450, and 1,395.75 Italian lire, up from 1,389.00.