Investing.com - The Australian dollar ended the week higher against the U.S. dollar on Friday, as stronger-than-expected U.S. data on third quarter growth bolstered demand for higher-yielding assets.
AUD/USD hit 1.0397 on Thursday, the pair’s highest since October 18; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.0372 by close of trade on Friday, 0.65% higher on the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 1.0306, Friday’s low and resistance at 1.0412, the high of October 18.
The Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy grew by a better-than-forecast 2% in the three months to September, on the back of stronger consumer spending, after expanding by 1.3% in the preceding quarter. Economists had predicted growth of 1.9%.
Separately, the final reading of the University of Michigan’s consumer confidence index ticked down to 82.6 for October, from the initial reading of 83.1, which was the highest since September 2007.
But risk appetite was tempered as investors continued to await any indication that Spain is moving closer to formally requesting a bailout from its euro zone partners and activating the European Central Bank’s bond purchasing plan.
Meanwhile, concerns over political uncertainty in Greece and doubts over whether the country will meet austerity targets weighed.
The Australian dollar was boosted after data on Thursday showed that consumer price inflation rose 0.7% in the third quarter, slightly better than expectations for a 0.6% increase.
Another report showed that China's HSBC manufacturing PMI improved to 49.1 in October, compared with a final reading of 47.9 in September, easing concerns over a slowdown in the world’s second largest economy. China is Australia’s largest trading partner.
In the week ahead, investors will be focusing on Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls data after the unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 7.8% in September from 8.1% the previous month.
In addition, investors will be awaiting any indication that Spain is growing closer to requesting a bailout from its euro zone partners.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, October 29
The U.S. is to release government data on personal income, personal spending and core consumer inflation.
Tuesday, October 30
The U.S. is to release data on consumer confidence, a leading indicator of economic health, as well as industry data on house price inflation, an important indicator of demand in the housing sector.
Wednesday, October 31
Australia is to produce official data on building approvals, an excellent gauge of future construction activity and a separate report on private sector credit.
In the U.S., payroll processing firm ADP is to release a report on nonfarm payrolls, a leading indicator of private sector job creation. The U.S. is also to publish official data on manufacturing activity in Chicago, as well as data on employment costs and crude oil stockpiles.
Thursday, November 1
Australia is to publish official data on import prices, which contribute to inflation. Elsewhere, China is to publish official data on manufacturing activity, a leading indicator of economic health.
The U.S. is to release private sector data on nonfarm payrolls, an important indicator of job creation. The U.S. is also to publish its weekly government report on initial jobless claims, as well as official data on nonfarm productivity and labor costs, important inflationary indicators.
In addition, the Institute of Supply Management is to publish data on U.S. manufacturing activity.
Friday, November 2
Australia is to produce official data on producer price inflation, a leading indicator of consumer inflation.
The U.S. is to round up the week with the closely watched government report on nonfarm payrolls, a leading indicator of job creation in the economy, as well as data on the unemployment rate.
The U.S. is also to publish official data on average earnings and factory orders.
AUD/USD hit 1.0397 on Thursday, the pair’s highest since October 18; the pair subsequently consolidated at 1.0372 by close of trade on Friday, 0.65% higher on the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 1.0306, Friday’s low and resistance at 1.0412, the high of October 18.
The Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy grew by a better-than-forecast 2% in the three months to September, on the back of stronger consumer spending, after expanding by 1.3% in the preceding quarter. Economists had predicted growth of 1.9%.
Separately, the final reading of the University of Michigan’s consumer confidence index ticked down to 82.6 for October, from the initial reading of 83.1, which was the highest since September 2007.
But risk appetite was tempered as investors continued to await any indication that Spain is moving closer to formally requesting a bailout from its euro zone partners and activating the European Central Bank’s bond purchasing plan.
Meanwhile, concerns over political uncertainty in Greece and doubts over whether the country will meet austerity targets weighed.
The Australian dollar was boosted after data on Thursday showed that consumer price inflation rose 0.7% in the third quarter, slightly better than expectations for a 0.6% increase.
Another report showed that China's HSBC manufacturing PMI improved to 49.1 in October, compared with a final reading of 47.9 in September, easing concerns over a slowdown in the world’s second largest economy. China is Australia’s largest trading partner.
In the week ahead, investors will be focusing on Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls data after the unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 7.8% in September from 8.1% the previous month.
In addition, investors will be awaiting any indication that Spain is growing closer to requesting a bailout from its euro zone partners.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, October 29
The U.S. is to release government data on personal income, personal spending and core consumer inflation.
Tuesday, October 30
The U.S. is to release data on consumer confidence, a leading indicator of economic health, as well as industry data on house price inflation, an important indicator of demand in the housing sector.
Wednesday, October 31
Australia is to produce official data on building approvals, an excellent gauge of future construction activity and a separate report on private sector credit.
In the U.S., payroll processing firm ADP is to release a report on nonfarm payrolls, a leading indicator of private sector job creation. The U.S. is also to publish official data on manufacturing activity in Chicago, as well as data on employment costs and crude oil stockpiles.
Thursday, November 1
Australia is to publish official data on import prices, which contribute to inflation. Elsewhere, China is to publish official data on manufacturing activity, a leading indicator of economic health.
The U.S. is to release private sector data on nonfarm payrolls, an important indicator of job creation. The U.S. is also to publish its weekly government report on initial jobless claims, as well as official data on nonfarm productivity and labor costs, important inflationary indicators.
In addition, the Institute of Supply Management is to publish data on U.S. manufacturing activity.
Friday, November 2
Australia is to produce official data on producer price inflation, a leading indicator of consumer inflation.
The U.S. is to round up the week with the closely watched government report on nonfarm payrolls, a leading indicator of job creation in the economy, as well as data on the unemployment rate.
The U.S. is also to publish official data on average earnings and factory orders.