Yen, commodity currencies feel the heat in thin month-end trade

The yen languished at fresh lows against the euro and dollar early in Asia on Thursday on track for one of its worst monthly performance this year, while sterling climbed on more evidence of a stronger economic recovery at home.

Commodity bloc currencies, grouping the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian dollars, also fell heavily against the greenback after investors latched onto U.S. data showing an improving jobs market and more cheerful consumers.

Traders said the overnight session was influenced by month-end book squaring ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. U.S. financial markets will be shut on Thursday, followed by a half-session for the U.S. bond market on Friday.

Source: Reuters