Euro extends rally in Asian trading

TOKYO: The euro extended its rally in Asia on Friday as markets eye US jobs data later in the day, after a surprise GDP report showed the world's biggest economy contracted in the last quarter of 2012.

The single currency bought $1.3603, from $1.3576 in New York trade on Thursday while it fetched 124.87 yen, compared with 124.52 yen in New York. The unit briefly topped the 125-yen level on Friday morning.

The greenback edged up on the Japanese unit at 91.76 yen, from 91.70 yen in US trading.

The dollar has been under pressure as data showed the US economy contracted 0.1 percent in the last quarter of 2012, while a surge in eurozone confidence also helped the 17-nation euro.

Eyes are on the release on Friday of non-farm payroll figures, with traders looking for fresh clues as to the state of the economy. US consumer confidence, construction spending and vehicle sales are also expected.

The euro pushed sharply higher this week, topping the $1.35 level on Wednesday for the first time in 13 months after the European Union's eurozone confidence index jumped for a third straight month.

Its brief climb above 125 yen on Friday was the first in over two-and-a-half years.