Singapore, February 05 (QNA) - The dollar steadied at the start of Asian trade on Thursday ahead of interest rate decisions from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England (BoE), both of which are expected to keep rates on hold later in the global day.

The US dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was up 0.2% at 96.671, having traded near a two-week high earlier.

The euro was steady at $1.1800 ahead of the ECB decision, where it is expected to keep rates on hold.

The British pound was flat at $1.3650 ahead of the Bank of England's policy decision, at which it is also expected to remain on hold.

Against the Chinese yuan trading offshore in Hong Kong, the dollar slipped 0.1% to 6.9386 yuan.

The Australian dollar was up 0.1% at $0.70045.

The New Zealand dollar was 0.1% firmer at $0.60045. (QNA)