HONG KONG. Dec 31: The US dollar had a mixed week against Asian currencies, reports AFP.

The yen slipped slightly while the Australian dollar gained more than half a US cent and brought its New Zealand counterpart up with it. Most other regional currencies were practically steady against the greenback.

JAPANESE YEN: Slipped to 102.9) yen against the US dollar from 102.77 the previous week. Slipped briefly below 103 to the dollar for the first time in nearly two months on Friday after a week of light trading sandwiched between Christmas and new year holidays.

But the Japanese unit is not expected to weaken much more with exporters poised to sell dollars for yen at around 103.30. dealers said.

TAIWAN DOLLAR: Fei) slightly against the US dollar which closed yesterday at 27 2H8 Taiwan dollars. up 0 3 Taiwan cents from the previ-

ous week's finish of 27.285.

SINGAPORE DOLLAR: Closed higher at 1.4140 to the greenback from 1.4145 the previous week-end.

The medium-term trend is looking bearish for the US dollar but we expect the greenback to continue trading sideways in the coming week.” said an analyst at a Singapore bank.

MALAYSIAN RINGGIT: Strengthened by Just eight points against the US currency to close at 2.5382 from 2.5390 last week.

Major players were on the sidelines towards year-end but some end-of-year window-dressing helped boost the ringgit.

The central bank. Bank Negara. intervened on Wednesday when the local unit was trading at 2.5420 against the greenback.

THAI BAHT: Finished Friday at 25.19 baht to the dollar. down slightly from the previous weeks close of 25 16 baht

PHILIPPINE PESO: Gained

slightly against the US dollar over the week, closing at 26.228 to greenback from 26.24 on December 22.

HONG KONG DOLLAR: Closed at 7.7317-7.7327 to the US dollar, up from the previous week's 7.7323-7.7333. The Hong Kong currency is closely pegged to its US counterpart.

INDONESIAN RUPIAH: Closed on Friday at 2.297 rupiah to the dollar, nine rupiah lower than the previous week's close.

SOUTH KOREAN WON: Weakened against the greenback trading at 773.20 to the dollar Saturday compared to 772.10 the previous week.

NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR: Closed Friday worth 65.34 US cents, slightly firmer than its close last Friday at 65.18.

The Kiwi peaked at 65.43 at the close Thursday but weakened on the back of the softer Australian dollar.

Dealers said the New Zealand currency was tn good shape and was likely to nudge 65.50 early in the new year