The dollar slid to a 15-month low against the euro, was within striking distance of 14-year lows versus the yen and dipped below parity against the Swiss franc Wednesday as markets absorbed the Federal Reserve's indication that it was not overly concerned by the US currency's decline. Against a basket of six currencies including the euro, yen and franc, the dollar fell as low as 74.245, its weakest point since August 2008 and its steepest one-day drop since July 31. The 16-nation euro climbed as high as $1.5142 Wednesday, its strongest level since August 2008. In late New York trading, it read $1.5139 from $1.4975 late Tuesday. Meanwhile, oil prices surged.New York's main contract, light sweet crude for January delivery, vaulted $1.94 to $77.96 a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for January delivery gained $1.98 to settle at $77.45 a barrel.
