Euro down slightly to $1.4311

The euro traded slightly lower against the dollar on Friday as markets awaited December unemployment figures from the United States.

The 16-nation euro bought $1.4311 in early European trading, down from $1.4325 in New York late Thursday.

The British pound was barely changed, dipping to $1.5937 from $1.5940, and the dollar edged up to 93.32 Japanese yen from 93.26 yen.

Markets were cautious ahead of Friday's U.S. jobs report, a key indicator of the economy's health.

"Expectations are for no change in December payrolls, with an increase in the unemployment rate to 10.1 percent," said Michael Hewson, an analyst at CMC Markets.

"If these figures come in as expected the market should continue to take the dollar higher."