The euro rose to within a cent of a record high against the US dollar and Asian shares edged higher today as investors showed increasing concern about threats to global economic growth.
Oil prices slid 34 cents to $54.20 a barrel in Asian trade, off yesterday's record high of $55.67. But policy makers voiced concern about the economic drag from persistently high energy prices.
European shares were expected to open modestly higher, gaining some respite from the fall in high crude prices, while oil major BP headed up a busy day for corporate earnings.
The euro, which has gained close to 5 per cent in the past three weeks, rose as high as $1.2841 - less than one cent below a record high of $1.2930 struck in February - before sliding back to $1.2814.
The dollar bought 106.73 yen, barely changed on the day and not far off the six-month low of 106.22 it touched yesterday.
Gold retreated to $427.40 an ounce after a surge yesterday took it to as high as $430.20.