The Australian dollar straddled 78 US cents late on Thursday in calmer trade after recent volatile sessions. The Aussie survived another dip to just under 77 US cents offshore, suggesting this week's steep slide in the currency may have run its course for now. The unit was knocked from a nine-month high of $0.7947, reached on Friday, after Australia posted a record current account deficit and retail sales unexpectedly fell in October.
The Aussie was at $0.7802/08 compared with $0.7764/69 late here on Wednesday.