TOKYO : The dollar was stable against the yen in Asia on Tuesday as dealers await Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke's testimony to a congressional committee this week. In Tokyo afternoon trade, the greenback fetched 99.84 yen, compared with 99.82 yen in New York late Monday, while the euro firmed to $1.3084 from $1.3064 and to 130.59 yen from 130.41 yen. Investors are reluctant to bet aggressively ahead of Bernanke's House testimony on Wednesday and Thursday.
, a senior dealer at a major Japanese trust bank told Dow Jones Newswires.
His comments and speculation over the Fed's policy outlook stoked market gyrations over recent sessions
"Some speculators got burned," the dealer said.
On Monday in New York, the greenback picked up strength after last week's retreat to about 90 yen even as US retail sales figures disappointed.
Earlier on Monday the Commerce Department reported sales in June rose just 0.4 percent, below the 0.7 percent expected by analysts.
Indonesia's rupiah currency fell to its lowest level against the dollar in almost four years, as foreign investment and demand for the country's exports cool.
Analysts, however, said the drop was in line with other falling Asian currencies.
"It's nothing to worry about, because comparatively, the rupiah fares much better than many Asian currencies," Bank Internasional Indonesia economist Juniman, who goes by one name, told AFP.
A spokesman for the central Bank Indonesia added: "The rupiah's development is in line with Indonesia's economic fundamentals, a reflection of the trade balance and high inflationary pressure...Let the rupiah find its balance."
The dollar advanced to 10,038 rupiah on Tuesday from 10,028 rupiah a day earlier.
Against other Asia-Pacific currencies the dollar slipped to 59.37 Indian rupees from 60.04 rupees on Monday, to Tw$29.829 from Tw$29.883, to 31.07 Thai baht from 31.15 baht and to 43.30 Philippine pesos from 43.44 pesos.
It also weakened to Sg$1.2609 from Sg$1.2646, and to 1,118.00 South Korean won from 1,121.88 won.
The Australian dollar firmed to 91.82 US cents from 91.00 cents while the Chinese yuan changed hands at 16.28 yen compared with 16.17 yen.