LONDON, Sept 25: The dollar was easier but coming off its early lows on Thursday as the market anticipated a deal in Washington on a 700-billion-dollar bank bailout plan between Republicans and Democrats.

Dealers said the markets had been on tenterhooks to see what would be agreed but news late in the day suggested US President George W. Bush would take on board Democrat calls for greater oversight and transparency.

Earlier on Thursday, the dollar had been in retreat as players digested blunt words overnight from President Bush that “our entire economy is in danger.”

The euro was at $1.4648 in late European trade, down from $1.4706 earlier but up from $1.4617 in New York late on Wednesday.

Similarly, the dollar rose to 106.40 yen, up from early lows of 105.82 yen and from 106.19 yen on Wednesday.

On the London Bullion Market, the price of gold fell to $888.50 an ounce at the fixing from $896 late Wednesday.—AFP