Australian Dollar Rises on Better-than-Expected Employment Report

The Australian currency rose against the yen from a seven-week low after a report yesterday indicated that unemployment figures in Australia rose less than forecast, spurring demand for the Aussie, which had lost against all majors since last week’s risk aversion wave.

After losing more than 3 percent yesterday versus the yen and the greenback, the Australian dollar initiated a rebound influenced by domestic and international news. A report yesterday in Australia showed better-than-expected unemployment numbers, which even if still on the rise, did not match rather grim speculations from economic analysts, helping the Aussie to gain. The International Monetary Fund stated yesterday that 2010 global economic growth will be higher than previously suggested, stopping low-yielding currencies like the yen to continue its rally, and finally bringing investors back to higher-yielding positions like Aussie-priced assets, as commodity prices also rebounded slightly this Thursday.

Analysts indicated that fundamental factors, even if not optimal served as an excuse for traders to profit, selling the overpriced Japanese currency and opting back for higher-yielding positions in stock markets and in currencies like the Australian dollar and its Canadian counterpart, which rebounded after severe losses during the past days. The Australian may continue to rebound if positive news, even if slight ones, help risk appetite to rise once again.