LONDON, May 4: The euro shot up against the dollar here on Thursday on comments from European Central Bank head Jean-Claude Trichet that analysts said pointed to a hike in eurozone interest rates in June.

The single European currency in late-day trade was at 1.2680 dollars against 1.2631 late Wednesday in New York. The euro at one point hit 1.2697 dollars, its best showing since May 13, 2005.

The dollar was meanwhile trading at 113.43 yen after 113.56 on Wednesday.

The pound, meanwhile, was supported by further strong economic data that reinforced expectations the Bank of England might eventually be forced to raise interest rates.

The euro was changing hands at 1.2690 dollars against 1.2631 late on Wednesday, 143.85 yen (143.49), 0.6866 pounds (0.6855) and 1.5592 Swiss francs (1.5618).

The dollar stood at 113.43 yen (113.56) and 1.2292 Swiss francs (1.2369).

The pound was being traded at 1.8481 dollars (1.8418).—AFP