Asian currencies buoyant

Asian currencies ended the week generally up against the dollar amid greater optimism in the region and continued low interest rates in the United States.
JAPANESE YEN: The yen stayed slightly higher against the dollar during the week as the US unit was hit by the prospect US interest rates will stay low for the time being, dealers said.
The Japanese unit stood at 89.77 yen to the dollar in New York late Friday, against 89.80 to the dollar there a week earlier.
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR: The Australian dollar soared to a 14-month high this week, spurred by a surprise drop in unemployment and shock rate rise, dealers said.
The commodities-based Aussie closed Friday at 90.34 US cents, up from 86.91 US cents a week earlier, after trading as high as 90.92 US cents in Thursday's overnight session.
NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR: The New Zealand dollar finished local trading Friday at 73.94 US cents, up sharply from 71.20 the previous week.
CHINESE YUAN: The yuan closed at 6.8256 to the dollar Friday on the over-the-counter market, down from a close of 6.8263 on September 30, the last trading day before China's week-long holiday.
HONG KONG DOLLAR: The US-pegged Hong Kong unit ended the week unchanged at 7.751 compared with the previous week.
INDONESIAN RUPIAH: The rupiah ended at 9,450 to the dollar, up from 9,645 the week before.
PHILIPPINE PESO: The Philippine peso rose to 46.46 to the dollar on Friday afternoon from 47.10 on October 2.
SINGAPORE DOLLAR: The dollar was at 1.3926 Singapore dollars from 1.4141 last week.
SOUTH KOREAN WON: The won continued gaining ground against the greenback over the week, closing at 1,164.50 won per dollar, compared with 1,178.3 won a week earlier.
The dollar is now at its lowest level against the won since closing at 1,160.50 won per dollar on September 26, 2008.
TAIPEI: The Taiwan dollar rose 0.34 percent in the week to October 9 to close at 32.240 against the US dollar. The local currency closed at 32.350 a week earlier.
THAI BAHT: The Thai baht rose sharply against the dollar over the past week despite interventions by the Bank of Thailand to soften the unit, dealers said.
The baht closed Friday at 33.31-33 baht to one dollar compared to the previous week's close of 33.50-53.