* Euro hits 1-wk high vs dollar as Ifo survey tops forecasts
* Yen climbs; dollar slides across the board
* Sterling falls as UK economy shrinks 1.9 pct q/q in Q1
(Adds quotes, updates prices)
By Naomi Tajitsu
LONDON, April 24 (Reuters) - The euro jumped to its highest
level in a week against the dollar on Friday after a
better-than-expected German business confidence survey fanned
hopes that the worst may be over for the euro zone economy.
Gains in the euro helped to drive the dollar down broadly,
pushing the U.S. currency more than 1 percent lower against the
yen and its weakest level in a weak against a basket of
currencies.
The single European currency climbed to a two-week high
against sterling as the pound came under selling pressure after
data showed that the UK economy contracted by its biggest amount
in 30 years in the first three months of the year.
The euro enjoyed broad gains following news that the German
Ifo business climate index rose to 83.7 in April from 82.2 in
March, beating forecasts for 82.3, while the survey's current
conditions and expectations indices also rose [].
"(The data) suggests that Q2 euro zone growth might have
turned the corner a little bit, so people wanted to put on a bit
more risk," said Chris Turner, currency strategist at ING in
London.
Analysts said that the euro extended its recovery, pulling
away from a one-month low hit earlier in the week, after the
data provided some positive news for the euro, which had been
suffering on speculation that limited additional interest rate
cuts in the euro zone may hinder the economy.
Market players were awaiting developments at the meeting of
Group of Seven finance ministers in Washington as they discuss
the global economic crisis [], though analysts said
no major market-moving developments are expected.
At 1154 GMT, the euro traded 0.7 percent higher at $1.3240
<EUR=>, not far off an earlier session high of $1.3274, its
highest in a week. Against sterling <EURGBP=R>, it rose 1.7
percent to 90.82 pence, according to Reuters data, its strongest
in two weeks.
The dollar was 1.3 percent lower at 96.88 yen <JPY=>, having
earlier hit 96.65 yen, its lowest since end-March.
The yen rose broadly as ongoing concerns about the U.S.
stress tests on banks and the fate of U.S. automakers encouraged
investors to seek the perceived safety of the Japanese currency.
Broad weakness in the U.S. currency drove the dollar index
<.DXY> as low as 84.734, its weakest since mid-month. Analysts
said that more dollar weakness may be in store if the index ends
the week under the key 85 level.
Despite its gains against the dollar, the euro fell 0.5
percent against the yen to 128.31 yen <EURJPY=R>, which was
boosted broadly by its gains against the dollar.
Some traders continued to shun riskier trades in favour of
the perceived safety of the Japanese currency, which helped to
pushed the Australian dollar 0.5 percent lower <AUDJPY=R>
against the yen.
Sterling fell by 0.9 percent to $1.4576 <GBP=D4>, struggling
after data showed that the UK economy contracted by 1.9 percent
in the first quarter from the previous three months, much more
than the 1.5 percent fall forecast and the biggest contraction
since 1979. [].
EURO SHINES
The euro's strong performance came as the Ifo data sparked
optimism that the region's recession may not be worsening.
A string of economic data recently has given signs of a
tentative improvement, with further figures on Friday showing
French consumer spending also rose much more than forecast in
March. []
"The improvement in the Ifo index does not imply that the
German economy is out of the woods yet, but provides further
evidence that the first half of 2009 should signal the bottom of
its recession," Calyon analyst Stuart Bennett said in a note to
clients.
Hitting the bottom, however, "may not mean a rapid recovery"
and this could limit the euro's gains against the dollar, he
added.
In addition to stress test concerns, investors remain
worried about automakers as sources say Chrysler is readying a
Chapter 11 filing as a contingency. See [].
Analysts said this would continue to support the yen in the
short-term.
(Additional reporting by Jessica Mortimer, editing by Ron
Askew)
