By Richard Leong
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar was weaker against the euro but rose against some emerging market currencies and hit a three-week high against the yen on Wednesday as investors braced for what is expected to be the Federal Reserve's second interest rate increase of 2018.
The euro gained ground on the greenback amid expectations that the European Central Bank on Thursday would signal its intention to taper its 2.55 trillion euro ($3 trillion) bond purchasing program later in 2018.
Some emerging market currencies weakened versus the dollar on the possibility of a Fed rate hike, while others rose. Countries like Turkey
The U.S. central bank is due to release its latest policy statement at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT), followed by a press conference half an hour later by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.
The Fed is expected to raise its benchmark overnight lending rate by a quarter of a percentage point to a range of 1.75 percent to 2.00 percent. Investors will scour the statement for clues as to whether the Fed will raise rates once or twice more in the second half of 2018.
"If they paint a picture of stronger inflation and growth, the market would take that as dollar-positive," said Richard Scalone, co-head of foreign exchange at TJM Brokerage in Chicago.
At 10:17 a.m. (1417 GMT), the dollar was flat at 110.39 yen
The euro was up 0.25 percent at $1.1770 (EUR=) and was 0.36 percent stronger at 129.96 yen (EURJPY=).
Among emerging market currencies, the Turkish lira
The British pound dipped to a one-week low of $1.3309
Slower-than-expected British inflation data on Wednesday also hurt the pound, as it weakened the case for a Bank of England rate rise in August.
The Canadian dollar, which has fallen heavily in recent weeks on concerns an escalating trade dispute with the United States would hit Canada's economy hard, rebounded nearly 0.2 percent to C$1.2992
The Norwegian crown rallied for a second straight session against the dollar