NEW YORK (AP) — The dollar is mixed against other currencies at midday. The government says unemployment claims fell last week, but Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke tells lawmakers that the economic recovery is "frustratingly slow."
The Labor Department says unemployment applications fell 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 367,000. The four-week average dropped for the third straight week to 375,750, the second-lowest level for the four-week average since June 2008.
Traders are also awaiting Friday's U.S. employment report to see if hiring improved last month.
The euro is up to $1.3161 in midday trading from $1.3158 late Wednesday. The British pound has fallen to $1.5807 from $1.5836. The dollar has fallen to 76.14 Japanese yen from 76.22 yen.
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