FINANCIAL MARKETS : CURRENCY : Dollar Ends Mixed; Gold Prices Rise

The dollar finished narrowly mixed Thursday in slow pre-Easter trading.

Gold prices rose worldwide. On the Commodity Exchange in New York, gold bullion for current delivery settled at $375.90 an ounce, up $1.60 from late Wednesday. Republic National Bank in New York quoted a late bid for gold at $375.25 an ounce, up 50 cents.

Activity finished early in Europe, where traders have a four-day weekend. In domestic dealings, traders spent a dull session squaring accounts ahead of what will be a short trading session today.

“There’s not much interest out there at all,” said Stephen Flanagan, a vice president at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co.

The most notable activity came from Japanese investors, who sold dollars for yen. Flanagan said there was some speculation among traders that the Bank of Japan might move to raise interest rates over the weekend in an attempt to bolster the weak Japanese currency.

Still, the dollar maintained its strength against the yen, relinquishing ground only in Asian trading.

In Tokyo, where trading ends as Europe’s business day begins, the dollar fell 0.50 yen to a closing 158.00 yen. Later in London, it was quoted at 158.14 yen. In New York, the dollar closed at 158.18 yen, up from 157.95 yen on Wednesday.

In London, the British pound fell to $1.6425 from $1.6432 late Wednesday. In New York, sterling fell to $1.6420 from Wednesday’s $1.6425.