Dollar adds to losses vs yen on housing data

The dollar dipped to 100.79 yen from about 100.95 yen before the Commerce Department said housing starts fell 6.3 percent last month. Compared with late Thursday, the dollar was down 0.8 percent against the Japanese currency.

"With mortgage rates once again climbing, housing related numbers are likely to disappoint in the months ahead," said Stephen Malyon, chief currency strategist at Scotia Capital in Toronto. "Dollar-yen is dropping as investors shy away from risk."