FINANCIAL MARKETS : CURRENCY : Dollar Mixed in Sluggish Trading

The dollar ended narrowly mixed in thin trading as dealers shrugged off continued efforts by some European central banks to shore up the Japanese yen at the expense of the U.S. currency.

Gold prices fell.

On the Commodity Exchange in New York, gold bullion for current delivery settled at $374.30 an ounce, down 70 cents from late Tuesday. Republic National Bank in New York quoted a late bid for gold at $374.75, 75 cents lower.

In Tokyo, where the global trading day begins, the dollar rose 0.35 Japanese yen to close at 158.50 yen. It was later quoted at 158.15 yen in London and at 157.95 yen in New York, up from 157.60 yen late Tuesday.

The dollar was mixed against the British pound. Sterling bought $1.6427 in London, up from $1.6345; and $1.6425 in New York, down from $1.6451 Tuesday.