Dollar higher in Asia

TOKYO: The dollar strengthened against the yen and euro in Asia on Friday as upbeat comments from the Federal Reserve and positive data supported the unit ahead of key US jobs figures later in the day.

In afternoon Tokyo trading the greenback fetched 102.36 yen, slightly up from 102.30 yen in New York Thursday.

The euro was nearly flat at $1.3860 and 141.88 yen compared with $1.3867 and 141.89 yen in US trade.

Investors were taking a wait-and-see view ahead of Friday´s US employment data as they look to see if it confirms that the world´s biggest economy is rebounding after a near-stall in the first quarter.

"The US monthly jobs report will be the key focus today and a healthy reading is expected," Credit Agricole said.

"Employment-related information released so far this month is consistent with a solid pace of hiring and we expect to see some continued payback from the downside winter-weather distortions in previous months."

Earlier this week, the Fed said the economy was picking up after a sub-zero temperatures saw growth slow to just 0.1 percent in the first quarter of the year.