Appetite for risky assets, already firm in early London trading thanks to strong data out of the United States, received a further boost after China unveiled its latest round of policy easing to support a struggling economy.

The Australian dollar  - its fortunes closely intertwined with the Chinese economy - gained 0.3% to $0.6837 and strengthened 0.7% versus the Swiss franc.

The New Zealand dollar also gained 0.6% versus the U.S. dollar.

The euro extended its rally against the Swiss franc, and was last up 0.4% at 1.0919 francs per euro.