Dollar firm in Asia as Ukraine tensions ease

The dollar held steady in Asia on Tuesday as concerns over a Ukrainian clash with Russia eased, while investors looked to a speech by the US Federal Reserve chief this week. In afternoon Tokyo trade, the greenback rose to 102.62 yen, from 102.57 yen in New York and 102.32 yen in Tokyo earlier Monday. The euro was weaker at $1.3351 from $1.3363, while it bought 137.04 yen against 137.05 yen in US trade. Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen is to deliver a keynote address at the central bank's annual economic conference this week, with investors eyeing any change in the timeline for raising interest rates. The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Pacific currencies. It edged lower to Sg$1.2443 from Sg$1.2446 on Monday, to 11,675.10 Indonesian rupiah from 11,679.90 rupiah, and to 60.74 Indian rupees from 60.77 rupees. The dollar rose to 43.68 Philippine pesos from 43.65 pesos, to 31.84 Thai baht from 31.82 baht, and to Tw$29.98 from Tw$29.95. The US unit was almost flat at 1,017.58 South Korean won against 1,017.59 won. The Australian dollar rose to 93.36 US cents from 93.23 cents, while the Chinese yuan firmed to 16.69 yen from 16.61 yen, according to AFP.