By Lisa Twaronite, MarketWatch
TOKYO (MarketWatch) — The Australian dollar seized the Asian trading spotlight again Wednesday, rising to a fresh high against its U.S. counterpart even as the latter firmed against other rivals on hawkish talk from another U.S. Federal Reserve official.
The Aussie (AUDUSD 1.0309, +0.0022, +0.2138%) rose to its highest level against the greenback since it was allowed to float freely in 1983, touching $1.0331. By Asian afternoon hours Wednesday, it was buying $1.0318, up from $1.0290 in late North American trading on Tuesday.
Currency strategists at Forex.com said that they believe broad risk appetite is driving the Australian dollar.
But the dollar was higher against most other rivals, buoyed by remarks by Dallas Fed Pres. Richard Fisher. He said late Tuesday that he would vote against any further monetary easing by the central bank at the end of the current program in June.
“I will vote against ... any further extension of that program,” Fisher told Fox Business News, referring to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s $600 billion asset-purchase program. “I cannot foresee a circumstance where I can support any further liquidity in the economy,” he said. See report on Fisher’s comments.
The dollar index (DXY 76.30, +0.05, +0.07%) , which measures the U.S. unit against a basket of major rivals, rose to 76.301 from 76.247 late Tuesday.
The euro (EURUSD 1.4078, -0.0031, -0.2197%) traded at $1.4084, down from $1.4092 late Tuesday. See real-time currency quotes and tools.
The British pound (GBPUSD 1.6046, +0.0039, +0.2437%) bought $1.6008, compared with $1.5995 late Tuesday.
Against the Japanese yen, the dollar (USDYEN 83.0800, +0.5900, +0.7154%) rose to ¥82.89 from ¥82.45 late Tuesday.
