FOREX-Dollar on shaky ground as investors shift to riskier assets

* Graphic: World FX rates in 2020 https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E * Dollar loses out as risk appetite improves * Vaccine, Biden transition boost sentiment * Bitcoin closes in on all-time high By Stanley White TOKYO, Nov 25 (Reuters) - The dollar nursed losses on Wednesday as progress in developing a novel coronavirus vaccine and expectations for a fiscal boost from a new U.S. government triggered a shift of funds from the greenback to riskier assets. The U.S. currency teetered near a two-moth low against the Australian dollar and a two-year low against the New Zealand dollar, both considered barometers of risk sentiment due to their close ties with the global commodities trade. Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency known for its volatile price swings, also traded near an all-time high, in a further sign that investors are growing more comfortable taking on riskier positions. The U.S. dollar's declines are likely to continue because a vaccine and the expected choice of former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen as U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's next Treasury secretary relieve two big uncertainties for investors. "Rising yields may lend the dollar some support, but the overall direction is it will head lower," said Junichi Ishikawa, senior foreign exchange strategist at IG Securities in Tokyo. "The trend has shifted to favour risk assets. Yellen will team up with the Fed and support the economy. U.S. rates will remain low for a long time." The dollar stood at $1.1901 against the euro on Wednesday in Asia, close to a two-week low. The British pound bought $1.3363, close to the highest in more than two months. Against the yen, the dollar held steady at 104.48. Research suggesting that a COVID-19 vaccine could be available before year end has sent U.S. stocks surging to record highs and reduced the appeal of holding the dollar as a safe-harbour currency. Risk appetite has also improved after the outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump's administration began cooperating with the Biden transition, and after reports that Yellen, an advocate of more fiscal spending, will take the top job at Treasury. The dollar index, pitting the dollar against a basket of six major currencies was at 92.129 after falling 0.4% on Tuesday. The Antipodean currencies were already on the front foot as investors unwound bets for additional monetary easing in both countries. Improving risk appetite means the Australian dollar's next target is its high of $0.7413 on Sept. 1. The New Zealand dollar, which has rallied 5.6% so far this month, is trading just shy of its strongest since June 2018. Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency, edged up to $19,189, approaching its record of $19,666 from December 2017. ======================================================== Currency bid prices at 9:21AM (0021 GMT) Description RIC Last U.S. Close Pct Change YTD Pct High Bid Low Bid Previous Change Session Euro/Dollar $1.1901 $1.1895 +0.05% +6.15% +1.1902 +1.1888 Dollar/Yen 104.4800 104.4300 +0.03% -3.83% +104.5450 +104.4600 Euro/Yen 124.32 124.17 +0.12% +1.94% +124.3600 +124.2000 Dollar/Swiss 0.9107 0.9111 -0.04% -5.89% +0.9114 +0.9107 Sterling/Dollar 1.3363 1.3361 +0.03% +0.77% +1.3365 +1.3357 Dollar/Canadian 1.2991 1.2997 -0.05% +0.00% +1.2998 +1.2991 Aussie/Dollar 0.7371 0.7361 +0.15% +5.07% +0.7373 +0.7356 NZ 0.6979 0.6979 +0.03% +3.75% +0.6981 +0.6970 Dollar/Dollar All spots Tokyo spots Europe spots Volatilities Tokyo Forex market info from BOJ (Reporting by Stanley White; Editing by Christopher Cushing)