Investing.com - The Australian dollar bounced off a six-year low against its U.S. counterpart on Friday, after disappointing U.S. nonfarm payrolls data prompted investors to push back expectations for a rate hike in the U.S. to the end of the year.
AUD/USD hit 0.7530 on Thursday, the weakest level since May 2009, before settling at 0.7635 by close of trade on Friday, up 0.57% for the day. For the week, the pair declined 1.56%.
The Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 126,000 new jobs in March, less than half of February’s gain and the smallest increase since December 2013. Economists had forecast jobs growth of 245,000 last month.
February’s figure was revised down to 264,000 from 295,000. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at a six-and-a-half year lows of 5.5%, in line with forecasts.
The surprisingly weak report added to concerns over the outlook for economic growth after other recent economic data pointed to a slowdown at the start of the year.
A slowing labor market could prompt Fed officials to reconsider a planned increase in interest rates. Last month the Fed indicated that the first rate increase could come as soon as June, but added that continued improvement in labor markets would be a key factor it would consider.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies fell 0.95% to 96.84 on Friday morning, while the Dow futures tumbled more than 160 points.
Declines were exacerbated by thin trading conditions due to the Easter holiday weekend. Most markets in Europe were closed and U.S markets traded for shortened hours.
In the week ahead, markets outside the U.S. will remain closed on Monday. The U.S. is to release what will be closely watched data on service sector activity on Monday and the Federal Reserve is to publish the minutes of its March meeting on Wednesday.
Investors will also be focusing on the outcome of a policy meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia on Tuesday.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, April 6
Markets in Australia will remain closed for holidays.
In the U.S., the Institute of Supply Management is to release data on service sector activity.
Tuesday, April 7
The Reserve Bank of Australia is to announce its benchmark interest rate and publish its rate statement, which outlines economic conditions and the factors affecting the monetary policy decision.
Australia is also to release data on retail sales.
Wednesday, April 8
The Federal Reserve is to publish the minutes of its March meeting.
Thursday, April 9
The U.S. is to release the weekly report on initial jobless claims.
Friday, April 10
Australia is to release data on home loans.
China is to publish figures on both consumer and producer price inflation.
The U.S. is to round up the week with a report on import prices.