The Australian dollar slid versus most of its 16 major peers before a report this week that may show an increase in unemployment, adding to signs of weakness in the domestic economy.
Australia’s currency fell against the dollar on prospects employers in the South Pacific nation last month added the fewest jobs since a decline in August. Both the so-called Aussie and its New Zealand counterpart, known as the kiwi, tumbled from the highest levels in more than four years versus the yen after comments by Japan’s economy minister stoked speculation the country won’t try to spur further losses in its currency.
“There is underlying weakness in the labor market,” said Andrew Salter, a currency strategist in Sydney at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ) “If we do a get a weaker unemployment read, the market will look to take the Aussie lower.”
via Bloomberg
