09.01.201504:35:41UTC+00Australian dollar inches higher before US payrolls

The Australian dollar increased before the US jobs data and as the US dollar weakened.

On Friday, the Aussie traded at 81.40 US cents from Thursday’s 81.12 US cents. The currency also traded at ¥97.12 and 68.93 euro cents, respectively.

Friday’s official local retail sales figures did not hearten much movement in the currency even though it was weaker than anticipated. Retail spending climbed 0.1% in November.

“"We tried to go a little bit lower after retail but it just brought out a bit more buying if anything,” said Michael Turner, Currency Strategist at RBC Capital Markets.