The dollar's plunge continued unabated Thursday, striking record lows after the European Central Bank kept its benchmark rate on hold and the U.S. released another batch of dour economic reports.

The euro fetched a record $1.5370 in European morning trading before falling back to $1.5360. The European currency closed at $1.5262 Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the British pound broke through $2 again after the Bank of England also decided to keep its key refinancing rate unchanged at 5.25 percent.

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The British pound traded as high as $2.0057 before falling back to $2.0027.

"Inflationary pressures similarly remain something of a high-profile concern of the Bank of England, but speculation continues to point toward a quarter point cut during the second quarter," said James Hughes of CMC Markets.

The dollar drifted lower to 103.11 Japanese yen from 103.87 yen.

As central banks in Britain and Europe stand pat on rates, the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank has slashed interest rates to 3 percent and investors expect more cuts as the economy continues to fizzle.

The latest record for the euro drew a new round of criticism in Europe, particularly from trade unions worried about exports to the U.S.

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