* Graphic: World FX rates https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
* Dollar supported against euro and yen
* Sterling in focus before BoE meeting
* U.S. stimulus, vaccine progress give markets hope
By Stanley White
TOKYO, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The dollar traded near its strongest in more than two months against the euro and the yen on Thursday as pessimism about the U.S. economic outlook recedes before the release of important data on the jobs market.
The British pound held steady against the dollar and traded near an eight-month high versus the euro ahead of a Bank of England policy meeting that will publish findings on the feasibility of negative interest rates.
Sentiment for the dollar has improved recently as progress in coronavirus vaccinations, moves by U.S. President Joe Biden to pass more fiscal stimulus, and improving economic data forced some bearish investors to give up their short positions.
The dollar faces another test on Friday with the release of non-farm payrolls data, which will help confirm whether the world's largest economy has been able to shrug off a dip in growth toward the end of last year.
"The dollar's recovery was triggered by a rebound in yields and an increase in inflation expectations," said Junichi Ishikawa, senior foreign exchange strategist at IG Securities.
"This is supporting the dollar, which now has more room to rise against the euro, because the euro zone looks like it is lagging behind U.S. economic growth."
Against the euro, the dollar EUR=D3 stood at $1.2040, close to a nine-week high.
The pound GBP=D3 bought $1.3647, stabilising after a 0.2% decline in the previous session. Sterling traded at 88.23 pence per euro EURGBP=D3 , near the strongest since May last year.
The dollar was quoted at 104.98 yen JPY=D3 , near its highest since mid-November.
Data due on Friday is forecast to show the U.S. economy added 50,000 jobs in January, which would be a mild recovery from shedding 140,000 jobs in the previous month as a spike in coronavirus infections curbed economic activity.
Since the start of the year expectations for big fiscal stimulus under Biden's Democratic government have supported sentiment. pace of vaccinations in the United States has also picked up, causing many investors to temper their pessimism.
The dollar index USD= against a basket of six major currencies stood at 91.066, not far from the highest since early December.
The Bank of England is not expected to change interest rates or quantitative easing at its meeting on Thursday, but sterling will be closely watched as investors try to measure the likelihood of negative interest rates. the Australian dollar AUD=D3 edged up to $0.7634, supported by hopes for U.S. stimulus.
Reserve Bank of Australia will update its economic forecasts on Friday, which could determine whether the Aussie continues to rise. the Tasman Sea, the New Zealand dollar NZD=D3 rose to $0.7220.
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Currency bid prices at 9:22AM (0022 GMT) Description
RIC
Last
U.S. Close Pct Change
YTD Pct
High Bid
Low Bid
Previous
Change
Session
Euro/Dollar
$1.2040
$1.2035
+0.05%
-1.45%
+1.2043
+1.2031 Dollar/Yen
JPY=D3
104.9850
105.0700
+0.00%
+1.72%
+105.0200 +0.0000 Euro/Yen
EURJPY=
126.40
126.39
+0.01%
-0.41%
+126.4500 +126.3600 Dollar/Swiss
0.8986
0.8990
-0.03%
+1.58%
+0.8989
+0.8987 Sterling/Dollar GBP=D3
1.3647
1.3642
+0.07%
-0.08%
+1.3652
+1.3643 Dollar/Canadian CAD=D3
1.2785
1.2785
+0.02%
+0.42%
+1.2789
+1.2779 Aussie/Dollar
AUD=D3
0.7634
0.7618
+0.26%
-0.71%
+0.7638
+0.7617 NZ
NZD=D3
0.7220
0.7213
+0.14%
+0.58%
+0.7224
+0.7204 Dollar/Dollar
All spots FX= Tokyo spots AFX= Europe spots EFX= Volatilities FXVOL= Tokyo Forex market info from BOJ TKYFX
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https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E
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