Dollar Nears 15-Year Low Versus Yen Before Bernanke’s Speech

The dollar traded near its weakest level in 15 years against the yen before a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke that may indicate whether the central bank will ease monetary policy further.

The yen advanced against all of its 16 most-actively traded peers as declines in stocks around the world and a U.S. probe into home foreclosures boosted demand for the Japanese currency as a refuge. The dollar was close to its weakest level against the euro since January. Minutes of last month’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting released this week suggested the Fed may pump more cash into the economy.