Hugo Chavez is joking and laughing again, a senior official has said - the latest positive comment about the health of the Venezuelan president.

BBC: Hugo Chavez joking and laughing, says Venezuela minister

"The latest reported comment today indicates that he'd sanction intervention to come to the rescue of exporters disadvantaged by a stronger yen, " said Andrew Wilkinson, a senior market analyst at Interactive Brokers.

FORBES: A Surprisingly Strong Dollar

The Commerce Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest developments.

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