Euro finds footing on hawkish policy remarks, lower energy prices

The euro was near a 15-year high on the yen and was firm against the dollar on Thursday, following hawkish remarks from European policymakers and the prospect of falling energy prices. At $1.0703 the common currency withstood a rising greenback after the European Central Bank's chief economist said he had not seen enough progress in taming inflation. Overnight, the euro touched its highest since 2008 at 161.73 yen, having broken out since the Bank of Japan left short-term rates on hold last week as investors see the pair as safer than navigating the risk of an intervention in dollar/yen.