Investing.com - The Australian dollar was almost unchanged against its U.S. counterpart on Thursday, after the release of strong Australian employment data, as investors remained cautious ahead of the European Central Bank's monthly policy statement later in the day.
AUD/USD hit 1.0481 during European morning trade, the daily high; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.0459, inching up 0.04%.
The pair was likely to find support at 1.0418, the low of November 29 and resistance at 1.0490, the high of November 27.
In Australia, official data earlier showed that the economy added 13,900 jobs in November, far more than the expected 200 increase, after a downwardly revised 10,100 rise the previous month.
In addition, Australia's unemployment rate ticked down to 5.2% last month from 5.4% in October. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to rise to 5.5% in November.
Later Thursday, the ECB was widely expected to keep rates unchanged at 0.75% later Thursday, while a post-policy meeting press conference by President Mario Draghi would be closely watched for indications on the future direction of monetary policy.
Sentiment remained supported by recent signs of progress in dealing with the debt crisis in the region, although concerns over the weak outlook for the euro zone economy persisted.
The Aussie was fractionally higher against the New Zealand dollar with AUD/NZD edging up 0.07%, to hit 1.2621.
Also Thursday, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand held the benchmark interest rate at a record low of 2.50%, in a widely expected move.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish the weekly government report on initial jobless claims.
AUD/USD hit 1.0481 during European morning trade, the daily high; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.0459, inching up 0.04%.
The pair was likely to find support at 1.0418, the low of November 29 and resistance at 1.0490, the high of November 27.
In Australia, official data earlier showed that the economy added 13,900 jobs in November, far more than the expected 200 increase, after a downwardly revised 10,100 rise the previous month.
In addition, Australia's unemployment rate ticked down to 5.2% last month from 5.4% in October. Analysts had expected the unemployment rate to rise to 5.5% in November.
Later Thursday, the ECB was widely expected to keep rates unchanged at 0.75% later Thursday, while a post-policy meeting press conference by President Mario Draghi would be closely watched for indications on the future direction of monetary policy.
Sentiment remained supported by recent signs of progress in dealing with the debt crisis in the region, although concerns over the weak outlook for the euro zone economy persisted.
The Aussie was fractionally higher against the New Zealand dollar with AUD/NZD edging up 0.07%, to hit 1.2621.
Also Thursday, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand held the benchmark interest rate at a record low of 2.50%, in a widely expected move.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish the weekly government report on initial jobless claims.