The Australian dollar fell today as a government report showed that nation’s consumer prices rose in the last quarter far slower that was anticipated by market analysts, triggering speculation about an interest rate cut.
Australia’s Consumer Price Index rose 0.1 percent in the first quarter of 2012, while much bigger growth by 0.7 percent was predicted by economists. The trimmed mean CPI (core CPI) increase 0.3 percent, while forecasters said that it would stay at 0.6 percent as in the the fourth quarter of 2011. The slowing inflation added incentive for the Reserve Bank of Australia will reduce interest rates. The problems in Europe also reduce demand for the Aussie, as well as other currencies with higher yield.
AUD/USD fell from 1.0321 to 1.0310 as of 14:35 GMT today, following the drop to 1.0246 — the lowest level since April 11. AUD/JPY was down from 83.76 to 82.85 before trading at 73.68.
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