HONG KONG. Dec 11: Asian currencies showed weak trading in the past week, as dealers waited quietly for the release of the US producer price index and trade figures this week, reports AFP.

JAPANESE YEN: The yen rallied during the week in quiet trading, as investors were sidelined with little prospect of fresh trading, dealers said.

The Japanese unit stood at 101.34 yen to the dollar in late afternoon Friday, up from 101.94 yen a week earlier.

AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR: The Australian dollar ended the week slightly lower after a week of what dealers said was extremely quiet trade, as attention turned to the upcoming Christmas.

The local unit finished Friday at 74.00 US cents compared to 74.28 US cents last week.

Dealers said the US pro-.ducer price index and trade figures to be released next week could give direction to the greenback, and hence the Australian dollar.

NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR: The New Zealand dollar traded within a tight range towards the end of the week to close Friday worth 64.70 US cents, down from the close a week earlier of 65.05 US cents.

Overnight selling Thursday did little to prompt the Kiwi dollar into much activity and il showed no signs of trying to lest below 64.50 cents or above 64.80 cents, dealers said.

SINGAPORE. DOLLAR: The Singapore dollar closed slightly weaker at 1.4150 to the greenback Friday, compared to 1.4138 at the of the previous week, after trading in a narrow range.

The US unit fell below the 1.4060 mark on four occasions during the week but buyers immediately brought it back above the 1.4120 level.

Analysts predicted the Singapore dollar would head upwards against the greenback as US interest rates seem to be on a downward trend.

HONG KONG DOLLAR: The Hong Kong dollar closed at 7.7335-7.7345 to the US dollar Friday, up from last week's 7.7355-7.7365 range.

INDONESIAN RUPIAH: The Indonesian currency closed on Friday at 2.300 rupiah to the dollar, or three rupiah stronger than at closing the previous week.

MALAYSIAN RINGGIT: The ringgit ended the week weaker against the US dollar in slim trading as most investors were sidelined Friday.

The ringgii weakened 33 points against the US dollar to close at 2.5373 from 2.5340 last week and was steadier against the Singapore dollar at 1.7925 from 1.7921 last week.

PHILIPPINE PESO: Philippine peso retreated against the US dollar this week to 26.201 pesos this Friday from 26.174 on December 1.

SOUTH KOREAN WON: The US dollar strengthened against the South Korean won. closing the week at 770.70 won per dollar, compared with the previous week's close of 769.80 won.

TAIWAN DOLLAR: The US dollar eased to close Friday at 27.294 Taiwan dollars in modest trading, down 4.1 Taiwan cents from the previous week's finish of 27.335.

THAI BAHT: The bank of Thailand's exchange equalisation fund on Friday fixed the official mid-rate at 25.14 baht to one US dollar, compared to last week’s close of 25.18 baht.

The greenback gained a fraction against the baht as it strengthened against the mark in line with comments by the Bundesbank's chief that a weaker mark would be good for the German economy, a forex dealer at Thai farmers bank said.