Euro is flat versus dollar ahead of ECB meeting

(AP) The euro is nearly flat against the dollar ahead of a meeting of the European Central Bank.

The ECB is meeting Thursday to set interest rates. Most economists don't expect the central bank to lower its rates.

Earlier this week, data showed that unemployment in the 17 countries that use the euro rose in November to its highest point since the single currency was founded in 1999.

The euro slipped to $1.3062 in afternoon trading from $1.3084 late Tuesday.

The British pound fell to $1.6022 from $1.6059.

The dollar rose to 87.75 Japanese yen from 87.19 Japanese yen.