A vulnerable Australian dollar held tentatively on Friday above a two-week low against a broadly resurgent US currency, which was buoyed by more surprisingly strong economic data in the world's biggest economy.
The US reports showing a drop in jobless claims and robust regional manufacturing suggested the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates steady at 5.25 percent for some time. The Aussie dollar was quoted at $0.8207/12, compared with $0.8255/57 here late on Thursday, according to Reuters data. Its range was $0.8208 to $0.8235.
The local currency fell as low as $0.8203 in offshore trade on Thursday following the strong US economic reports and weak metals.