CANBERA (Alliance News) - The Australian dollar resumed its early advance in early European deals on Thursday, as the nation's better-than-expected retail sales and trade data for January bolstered sentiment. Retail sales in Australia climbed a seasonally adjusted 1.2% on month to AUD22.924 billion in January, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said early in the day. Australia's merchandise trade surplus was AUD1.433 billion in January, up from forecasts for a surplus of AUD100 million, separate data showed. The aussie climbed to a 6-day high of 0.9974 against the loonie, 9-day highs of 0.9038 against the greenback and 1.5189 against the euro. Against the yen, the aussie hit 92.87, its strongest since February 18. If the aussie extends gain, it may face resistance around 93.5 against the yen, 0.91 against the greenback, 1.50 against the euro and 1.005 against the loonie.

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