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The Australian dollar jumped after government data
showed net employment increased in December for a fourth straight month and the
jobless rate fell to an eight-month low, adding to the case for a further
interest rate increase.
Sterling hit its highest in nearly four weeks against the dollar on Wednesday,
lifted by comments from a Bank of England policymaker which were seen as hawkish
and helped by better-than-expected UK data.
The Australian dollar leapt while bond futures fell on Thursday after a
surprisingly robust jobs report assured investors a February interest rate rise
is almost certain.
Risky assets, including stocks and higher-yielding currencies, rebounded on
Wednesday on solid earnings expectations and a view that this week's surprise
monetary tightening in China bodes well for recovery.
Gold inched up on Thursday, keeping a bullish tone from the day before when a
weaker dollar spurred short-covering and physical buying, but investors were
trading cautiously before the European Central Bank's policy decision and U.S.
data. |
