Investing.com - The Australian dollar rose to a more than one-week high against its U.S. counterpart on Friday, as disappointing U.S. consumer sentiment data weighed on the greenback, while investors reassessed the geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe and in the Middle East.
AUD/USD hit 0.9409 on Friday, the pair’s highest since July 10, before subsequently consolidating at 0.9392 by close of trade on Friday, up 0.44% for the day and flat for the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 0.9334, the low from July 17 and resistance at 0.9455, the high from July 10.
In a report, the University of Michigan said Friday that its consumer sentiment index fell to a four-month low of 81.3 in July, from a reading of 82.5 in June, confounding expectations for rise to 83.0.
Meanwhile, sentiment remained under pressure after a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet crashed in eastern Ukraine on Thursday. All 298 people on board were killed, with the U.S. blaming pro-Russian separatists for the act.
Moscow has denied involvement in the crash, which came a day after the U.S. announced a fresh round of sanctions against Russia for supporting separatists in east Ukraine.
Markets were also unsettled as Israel expanded its ground offensive in Gaza against Hamas militants who fired hundreds of rockets into Israel.
Demand for the dollar continued to be underpinned after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen indicated earlier in the week that interest rates may rise sooner if the economy continues to improve.
Data from the Commodities Futures Trading Commission released Friday showed that speculators increased their bullish bets on the Australian dollar in the week ending July 15.
Net longs totaled 39,743 contracts, compared to net longs of 36,603 in the preceding week.
In the week ahead, the U.S. is to release what will be closely watched data on consumer prices, home sales and manufacturing orders.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets. The guide skips Monday as there are no relevant events on this day.
Tuesday, July 22
Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens is to speak, his comments will be closely watched.
The U.S. is to release reports on consumer price inflation and existing home sales.
Wednesday, July 23
Australia is to produce data on consumer price inflation.
Thursday, July 24
The U.S. is to produce data on unemployment claims, manufacturing activity and new home sales.
Friday, July 25
The U.S. is to round up the week with data on durable goods orders.