Tokyo, February 03 (QNA) - The dollar held on to its gains on Tuesday as positive economic readings and shifting expectations for Federal ‍Reserve policy outweighed concerns about another US ​government shutdown.

The Australian dollar rose ahead of an expected rate hike by the ⁠nation's central bank, the first of three major central bank decisions this week. 

The yen remained lower as Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama tried to play down comments from the prime minister that there were benefits to a weaker currency.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of ‍currencies, was little changed at 97.50, after a two-day advance.

The euro ‌was up 0.1% at $1.1804, and the yen tacked on 0.1% to 155.53 per dollar.

The Australian dollar rose 0.3% to $0.6965. New Zealand's kiwi strengthened 0.3% to $0.6017, while sterling rose 0.1% to $1.3676. (QNA)