A picture taken 18 December 2003 shows US dollar and Euro bank notes at an exchange counter in Paris. The euro scaled yet another lifetime peak against the dollar 18 December following positive economic news from eurozone heavyweight Germany. The single European currency rose to as high as 1,2438 dollars. It later stood at 1,2426 dollars against 1,2409 late on Wednesday in New York. The dollar traded at 107,60 yen from 107,37 on 17 December. The single European currency was buoyed by a closely watched survey showing German business confidence has reached the highest level for almost two years after a marked improvement in December. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE DESMAZES