Singapore, February 12 (QNA) - The dollar strengthened Thursday following the release of the US jobs report, which exceeded expectations, while investors' focus shifts to upcoming data on US inflation.

Against the dollar, the yen ​traded as strong as 152.55 on Wednesday, before steadying slightly below that at 153.05 per dollar.

Thursday morning moves ‌were fairly small, but the Australian dollar was above 71 cents and creeping back towards a three-year top after the central bank governor said the board would hike rates ​again if inflation ​becomes entrenched.

The euro was ⁠firm at $1.1875, sterling held at $1.3628 and the kiwi at $0.6052.

This week the US dollar index is down 0.8% to 96.852. (QNA)