Yen falls further, pound higher as Scotland vote looms

The yen fell again against the dollar and euro on Friday while the pound edged higher amid polls in Scotland showing a small majority against breaking from the United Kingdom. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
The yen fell again against the dollar and euro on Friday while the pound edged higher amid polls in Scotland showing a small majority against breaking from the United Kingdom. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

NEW YORK (AFP) - The yen fell again against the dollar and euro on Friday while the pound edged higher amid polls in Scotland showing a small majority against breaking from the United Kingdom.

The euro meanwhile gained on the dollar, while remaining below the US$1.30 ($1.64) line.

Markets remain on edge ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week - where a slightly less dovish tone could emerge - and the Scottish independence referendum next Thursday.

The pound sank last week after polls shocked markets by showing an unexpected majority of Scots in favor of breaking away.

But that decline was halted on Thursday when a new survey show the electorate leaning against independence.

"The British Pound is likely to face heavy volatility in the week ahead as the Bank of England publishes the policy meeting minutes, while Scotland takes to the polls to vote for independence on September 18," said David Song, currency analyst at DailyFX.

"Despite the risk of Scotland leaving the UK, it seems as though the central bank will retain its game plan to normalize monetary policy as (BoE chief Mark) Carney sees the first rate hike coming in the Spring of 2015.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.