Aussie was thrown about somewhat after the release of Australian economic data earlier today while reported comments from RBA Governor Glenn Stevens late in the Asian morning contributed to a marginally heavier aussie-dollar tone. The pair had opened at $0.9248 today and spent the first few hours of the day between $0.9240 and $0.9255, the latter marking the high for the session so far. Aussie-dollar slipped as Asian markets got underway, in part due to the dollar’s gains in the wake of supportive US data out last night and extended initial losses after retail sales data came in below forecasts although a slightly bigger than expected trade surplus then came in to lift the aussie off the low to $0.9239. Losses worsened after the release of China’s CFLPnon-manufacturing PMI and aussie-dollar fell to $0.9212. HSBC’s version of the service PMI turned out to be more supportive and aussie-dollar edged back up to $0.9240 before Stevens’ remarks in a speech pushed aussie-dollar back down again toward the morning lows, although Stevens made no reference to exchange rates.
