The euro has climbed above $US1.25 for the first time as it resumed its rise against the US dollar in thin post-Christmas trading

The euro has climbed above $US1.25 for the first time as it resumed its rise against the US dollar in thin post-Christmas trading. The 12-nation currency rose to a peak of US$1.2506 in European trading, putting it past a previous high of US$1.2473 that was set on December 24. The five-year-old euro has been on a relentless upward march against the greenback, setting a string of new records since the end of November in a rise driven largely by fears about the US trade and budget deficits. Low trading volumes in year-end trading have also magnified exchange rate swings, and analysts say many traders are reluctant to counter what has become an entrenched downward trend for the dollar, which has now fallen 19 per cent on the year against the euro. The rally has led some economists and government officials in Europe to worry that the stronger currency will hurt a recovery expected to take hold next year because the stronger euro makes exporters' goods more expensive compared to those of foreign competitors. The chief economist for the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the euro would hurt exporter profits.