How the dollar is faring against some key rivals

Weak dollar, strong dollar. It’s both, depending on which foreign currency the greenback is measured against.

Here’s how the dollar is faring this year against some rivals:

* The euro: The currency shared by 13 nations including Germany, France and Spain has been on a hot streak since January. It hit a record $1.368 on April 27, up from $1.32 at the start of the year and $1.26 a year ago. On Friday the euro was worth $1.36.

The euro’s ascent has been fueled by surprising strength in many euro-zone economies, particularly Germany. By contrast, the U.S. economy has weakened -- as shown by the government’s report on Friday of a net increase of 88,000 jobs in April, the smallest rise in two years.

Economic strength in any country tends to attract global investors, which can boost the country’s currency. In addition, a healthy economy may mean that interest rates are rising, which also would attract money. That’s the case in Europe: The European Central Bank has continued to raise short-term interest rates over the last year, while the U.S. Federal Reserve has been holding its key rate steady.

U.S. investors in European stocks are enjoying a double benefit: Share prices are climbing on optimism about corporate earnings, and the robust euro is lifting returns when translated into dollars. The German market, for example, is up 13.9% this year in euros -- and 17.4% in dollars.

* British pound: The pound recently hit 15-year highs against the dollar, underpinned by the nation’s strong economy. It costs nearly $2 to buy 1 pound, up from $1.87 a year ago.

* Japanese yen: Japan -- and currency traders -- still are trying to determine whether the country’s economic rebound can be sustained. Worries about the economy have helped to keep the stock market, and the yen, under pressure this year.

One dollar is worth 120 yen now, up from 119 at the start of the year. The Nikkei-225 stock index is up a mere 1% in yen this year and is flat in dollars.

* Canadian dollar: Helped by commodity exports, Canada’s economy has been on a roll, and so has the Canadian dollar. One U.S. dollar is worth less than 1.11 Canadian dollars now, down from 1.16 at the start of the year. Canada’s main stock index is up 6.7% in Canadian dollars year to date and 12.2% in U.S. dollars.