The dollar has fluctuated against the euro and the yen

The dollar has fluctuated against the euro and the yen after a report showed the U.S. economy grew at a slower pace than expected.

The U.S. currency mixed versus its major counterparts after the Commerce Department said gross domestic product grew at a rate of 2.6 percent in the third quarter. The euro rose that German import prices in November rose the most in a decade. The Swiss franc strengthened to a record against the common currency for a sixth day on the link in the demand for shelter to the crisis in the euro zone sovereign debt.

"GDP was stronger than before, but weaker than expected, so there was some disappointment in the market," said Fabian Eliasson, head of sales of U.S. currency Mizuho Financial Group Inc. in New York.

The dollar fell 0.2 percent to $ 1.3125 per euro at 8:40 am in New York from $ 1.3100 yesterday. It weakened 0.3 percent to 83.52 yen from 83.75 yen.

In a report to the 10 hours are expected to show that sales of existing homes rose in November. Increased purchases at an annual rate of 4.75 million, up 7.1 percent from October.

German prices

The euro rose after the import prices in Germany, Europe's largest economy, rose 10 percent in November from a year earlier, the highest in 10 years, after increasing 9.2 percent in October, the Office Federal Statistics said today. Retail sales in Italy rose 0.3 percent in October from the previous month.

The Swiss franc appreciated against the euro as concern lingered some countries will have difficulty borrowing money.

"The Swiss franc continues to perform very well," said Kathy Lien, director of currency research, in line with the currency trader GFT Forex in New York. "When we move to a stronger growth scenario, countries like Switzerland, which have very healthy balance over it."

Portugal bond rating may be downgraded one or two levels by Moody's Investors Service after the company warned yesterday of the concern that budget cuts will worsen the country's "slow" growth. Greece may have its credit rating cut to non-investment grade by Fitch Ratings within six weeks.

The annual patterns

The euro has dropped 10 percent so far this year, the biggest loss among the 10 developed nations is measured in foreign exchange rates. The dollar has lost 1.2 percent and the yen has added 11 percent.

The pound fell against the euro after a report showed Britain's economy grew at a slower rate than estimated in the third quarter.

Data from the National Statistics Office showed gross domestic product in the UK rose 0.7 percent in the third quarter. That compares with an initial estimate of 0.8 percent. Second quarter growth was revised to 1.1 percent from 1.2 percent.

Bank of England Minutes of December meeting showed policymakers remained divided in its decision to keep the benchmark interest rate at a record low of 0.5 percent and the asset purchase program unchanged at 200 million pounds .

The pound sterling depreciated by 0.4 percent to 85.02 pence per euro. Was little changed at $ 1.5461 from $ 1.5470 yesterday.

Russian ruble rose to its strongest level against the euro in 14 weeks, oil prices rose.

The currency advanced as much as 0.5 percent to 41.3137 per euro, the strongest since Sept. 16. Crude traded at 1 cent up to two years above $ 90 a barrel.