Investing.com - The Australian dollar inched higher against its U.S. counterpart on Friday, but the Aussie held near a three-and-a-half year low after the Federal Reserve said it will begin scaling back its stimulus program next month.
AUD/USD clawed back from 0.8818 on Wednesday, the pair’s lowest since August 25, 2010, to subsequently consolidate at 0.8923 by close of trade on Friday, up 0.64% on the day but 0.5% lower for the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 0.8818, Wednesday’s low and resistance at 0.8957, the high from December 17.
Demand for the greenback remained supported after the Fed said Wednesday that it would reduce its USD85 billion-a-month bond buying program by USD10 billion in January, amid indications of an improving U.S. economy.
The U.S. central bank reiterated that interest rates are likely to remain low even after the unemployment rate drops below 6.5%, the threshold at which the Fed has previously said it would start to consider rate increases.
On Friday, the Commerce Department said that the U.S. economy expanded by 4.1% in the third quarter, well above initial estimates for 3.6% growth, adding to signs that the economic recovery is deepening.
The Aussie remained under pressure after Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens repeated the bank's recent message that a currency above USD0.90 is not suitable for the economy.
On Tuesday, the minutes of the RBA's December policy meeting showed that the bank maintained the option of loosening monetary policy further due to an “uncomfortably high” currency.
In the week ahead, the U.S. is to release key reports on durable goods orders, new home sales and jobless claims.
Trading volumes are expected to remain light due to the Christmas holiday and as many traders already closed books before the end of the year, reducing liquidity in the market and increasing the volatility.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, December 23
The U.S. is to produce government data on personal spending and expenditure, while the University of Michigan is to release revised data on consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.
Tuesday, December 24
The U.S. is to release data on durable goods orders, a leading indicator of production, as well as a report on new home sales.
Wednesday, December 25
Markets in Australia and the U.S. will remain closed for the Christmas Day holiday.
Thursday, December 26
Markets in Australia will remain closed in observance of Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is to release weekly data on initial jobless claims.
Friday, December 27
The U.S. is to round up the week with a report on crude oil supplies.
AUD/USD clawed back from 0.8818 on Wednesday, the pair’s lowest since August 25, 2010, to subsequently consolidate at 0.8923 by close of trade on Friday, up 0.64% on the day but 0.5% lower for the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 0.8818, Wednesday’s low and resistance at 0.8957, the high from December 17.
Demand for the greenback remained supported after the Fed said Wednesday that it would reduce its USD85 billion-a-month bond buying program by USD10 billion in January, amid indications of an improving U.S. economy.
The U.S. central bank reiterated that interest rates are likely to remain low even after the unemployment rate drops below 6.5%, the threshold at which the Fed has previously said it would start to consider rate increases.
On Friday, the Commerce Department said that the U.S. economy expanded by 4.1% in the third quarter, well above initial estimates for 3.6% growth, adding to signs that the economic recovery is deepening.
The Aussie remained under pressure after Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens repeated the bank's recent message that a currency above USD0.90 is not suitable for the economy.
On Tuesday, the minutes of the RBA's December policy meeting showed that the bank maintained the option of loosening monetary policy further due to an “uncomfortably high” currency.
In the week ahead, the U.S. is to release key reports on durable goods orders, new home sales and jobless claims.
Trading volumes are expected to remain light due to the Christmas holiday and as many traders already closed books before the end of the year, reducing liquidity in the market and increasing the volatility.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, December 23
The U.S. is to produce government data on personal spending and expenditure, while the University of Michigan is to release revised data on consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.
Tuesday, December 24
The U.S. is to release data on durable goods orders, a leading indicator of production, as well as a report on new home sales.
Wednesday, December 25
Markets in Australia and the U.S. will remain closed for the Christmas Day holiday.
Thursday, December 26
Markets in Australia will remain closed in observance of Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is to release weekly data on initial jobless claims.
Friday, December 27
The U.S. is to round up the week with a report on crude oil supplies.