Euro keeps small gains, focus turns to Draghi

London

THE euro held its ground on Thursday after the European Central Bank (ECB) kept its benchmark interest rate close to zero, as expected, but the currency's modest gains could be shortlived if ECB chief Mario Draghi suggests more monetary easing is to come.

The dollar backed away from multi-year highs, having hit a seven-year peak against the yen in Asian trading of 115.52 , as traders sold into the greenback's rally before closely watched US non-farm payrolls numbers on Friday.