Investing.com - The Australian dollar fell from a nine-week high against its U.S. counterpart on Friday, as concerns over escalating violence in Iraq dampened demand for riskier assets.
AUD/USD hit 0.9436 on Thursday, the pair’s highest since April 10, before subsequently consolidating at 0.9402 by close of trade on Friday, down 0.26% for the day but 0.72% higher for the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 0.9347, the low from June 12 and resistance at 0.9436, the high from June 12.
Concerns over the ongoing Sunni insurgency in Iraq hit market sentiment on Friday, amid fears over the impact of reduced oil supply on global growth.
The escalating violence in Iraq overshadowed a report showing that U.S. consumer sentiment unexpectedly deteriorated in June.
The preliminary reading of the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index for June came in at 81.2, down from 81.9 in May, missing expectations for an uptick to 83.0.
The report came one day after data showed that U.S. retail sales rose less than expected in May, but the previous month was revised higher.
The Commerce Department said Thursday that U.S. retail sales rose 0.3% in May, falling short of expectations for a 0.6% gain. However, retail sales for April were revised up to a 0.5% gain from a previously reported increase of 0.1%.
Meanwhile, in Australia, official data released Thursday showed that the number of employed people in Australia declined by 4,800 in May, compared to expectations for a 10,000 rise.
Australia's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.8% last month, confounding expectations for an uptick to 5.9%.
Data from the Commodities Futures Trading Commission released Friday showed that speculators increased their bullish bets on the Australian dollar in the week ending June 10.
Net longs totaled 28,247 contracts, compared to net longs of 21,527 in the preceding week.
In the week ahead, investors will be focusing on the outcome of Wednesday’s Federal Reserve policy meeting, while the Reserve Bank of Australia will release the minutes of its most-recent policy meeting.
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 Friday, as there are no relevant events on this day.
Monday, June 16
The U.S. is to produce data on industrial production and manufacturing activity in the Empire State.
Tuesday, June 17
The Reserve Bank of Australia is to publish the minutes of its latest policy meeting, which contain valuable insights into economic conditions from the bank’s perspective.
Later Tuesday, the U.S. is to produce data on housing starts, building permits and consumer prices.
Wednesday, June 18
Australia is to publish an index of leading economic indicators.
Later Wednesday, the Federal Reserve is to announce its federal funds rate and publish its rate statement. The announcement is to be followed by a press conference with Fed Chair Janet Yellen.
Thursday, June 19
The U.S. is to publish the weekly report on initial jobless claims as well as a report on manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region.