Euro, dollar steady before US payrolls

The euro steadied against the dollar today amid investor reluctance to take positions before key US jobs and sentiment data.

Earlier, the euro was steady at $1.3018, having traded within a range of just 14 ticks since the start of the day.

The euro was also 0.2 per cent firmer at 157.53 yen, off a record peak of 158.61 struck last week.

The yen gained versus major currencies with investors getting worried that European officials will initiate discussions on the Japanese currency's weakness at next week's Group of Seven meeting.

January's US non-farm payrolls report, due this afternoon, will be scanned by investors for evidence to reinforce a solid growth outlook and the Federal Reserve's steady stance on rates.