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The Australian Dollar fell about a fifth of a cent after data at large this morning show weak building approvals, down by 1.9 percent in December. Weaker than expected data on retail sales was recently released for the same month has also removed any assumption of a possible concern rate rise when the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meets this week. ''The data is all looking a little soft and that's going to weigh on the dollar,'' RBC funds markets senior economist Su-Lin Ong said.''It decreases the possibility that the RBA will move on interest rates representative that the yield degree of difference won't widen much further,'' she said.
In the forex-trading markets this morning, the Australian Dollar bought 77.44 U.S. cents. At midday after the release of the weak building agreement figures, the Australian Dollar dropped to 77.32 U.S. cents, reaching a low of 77.23 U.S. cents.
Australian Trade Deficit reaches U.S$1 Billion
Australian trade deficit has reached 1.04 billion U.S. Dollars or a 52 percent deficit on Thursday as the drought cripples exports and capital imported goods climbed in price. After the release the Australian Dollar showed weakness in the foreign exchange falling to a low of 77.21 U.S. cents. In the foreign exchange yesterday, the Aussie was quoted at 77.29 U.S. cents in comparison to the previous day's trade at 77.47 U.S. cents.
The Australian Dollar is currently under pressure after the release of 'moderate' inflation reports last week. This has helped reduce speculation that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will increase borrowing rates by another 25 basis points to a 10-year high of 6.5 percent. Last year, the RBA increased interest rates three times during May, August and November due to high rates of inflation, taking it to a six year high of 6.25 percent. Australia currently has the highest interest rate in the world.
Investors will need to wait a week or two for economic reports ahead of a Reserve Bank quarterly statement on monetary policy on February 12.