Rates At 0600 GMT Latest Change AUD/USD 1.0495 +0.07% AUD/JPY 80.86 +0.08% 6.25% Apr, 2015 3.2841% -0.0057 5.50% Apr, 2023 4.1045% +0.0204 10-Yr Spread To U.S. +182 bps +3 bps SFE Mar 3-Year Futures 96.75 +0.01 SFE Mar 10-Year Futures 96.055 -0.025 SYDNEY (Dow Jones)-- The Australian dollar inched slightly higher on Tuesday in thin trade, though the currency faced selling pressure late in the Asian session. Keeping commodity-linked currencies from gaining, Germany and the International Monetary Fund pressed their case that Greece's private-sector creditors should agree to receive average interest rates of less than 4% in the planned restructuring of Greek debt, deepening a stand-off that has delayed the time-sensitive talks. Earlier positive sentiment surrounding the debt talks had lifted the Australian dollar as high as US$1.0536--its highest point since November. At 0600 GMT, the Australian dollar was trading at US$1.0495, up from US$1.0488 late Monday. Against the Japanese yen the Australian currency changed hands at Y80.86, up from Y80.7975. Even so, the Australian dollar faced pressure as the Asia session wore on, hurt by the stand-off in Europe and as the Bank of Japan forecast a weaker economic outlook. After rallying in the past two weeks, strategists said the currency has pushed up against solid technical resistance at US$1.0500, though some forecast even more gains were coming. "We're looking for further strength for the Aussie, though no earth-shattering moves this week. Over the next month, I see it testing US$1.0800 or so," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets. Further helping the currency could be Australia's emerging status as a safe haven, which is drawing fresh interest for government bonds from overseas investors, including sovereign wealth funds and central banks, the chief executive of the Australian Office of Financial Management told Dow Jones Newswires on Tuesday. In the short-term, however, much of the local focus will be on Australia's 2011 fourth-quarter consumer price index data, due for release Wednesday. A reading indicating high inflation will likely keep the Reserve Bank of Australia from cutting rates for a third time straight when it meets in the first week of February. However, "the 4Q CPI is...widely expected to show another soft inflation reading," said ANZ economist Shane Lee. -By Geoffrey Rogow, Dow Jones Newswires; +61-2-8272-4686; geoffrey.rogow@dowjones.com (Data provided by Reuters)

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