Jamelle Agbuis

The Australian Dollar has jumped from yesterday's open of 1.0070/80 to highs near 1.0160 after a volatile offshore session.

U.S. stocks drifted just below the flatline Thursday as investors eyed encouraging earnings and stronger January sales among retailers, with a backdrop of continued unrest in Egypt.

US ICSC comparable chain store sales rose by 4.8pct in January from a year earlier. Apparel, wholesale and luxury sales all recorded healthy gains.

The Australian sharemarket is slightly stronger after almost three hours of trade with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) up 0.29 pct or 14.1 pts to 4910.9.

The bullish sentiment surrounding the AUDover recent days took a bit of a hit overnight as investorsmoved to a "risk off" mentality.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average struggled towards a fifth gain in six sessions, as investors moved cautiously following a strong run up and a fresh wave of uncertainty in Egypt.

The US ADP private sector employment report supported the view that the US economy was picking up steam.

After reaching almost monthly highs yesterday, the Australian Dollar has fallen back as a result of both local and international pressures.

The Australian Dollar regained some moreground after the release of stronger than expected globalmanufacturing activity in China, Europe and the US.Accordingly, stock markets were strong with the Dowleading the way, up 140 points to trade over 12,000.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average recaptured the 12000 level Tuesday, buoyed by bellwether earnings and encouraging manufacturing data, as traders looked past the unease rippling through the Middle East.

The US ISM manufacturing gauge rose to the highest level in more than six years in January (highest since May 2004), lifting from 58.5 to 60.8.

Signs of economic recovery world-wide as well as reduced pressure emanating from Egypt has helped the Australian Dollar push to 4-week highs in off-shore trade.

There was mixed economic data out of the U.S overnight, European markets eased and the North American markets posted slight gains.

US personal income rose 0.4pct in December with spending up 0.7pct.

After developing events in Egypt over the weekend, the Aussie opened on the back foot Monday morning and despite a brief fall towards key levels near 0.9850 the little battler was not to be deterred by offshore events.

The Australian Dollar has regained some lostground overnight as the markets refocussed on economicreports out of the US and other major economies and lessso on developments in Egypt.

U.S. stocks climbed Monday despite ongoing unrest in Egypt as investors took heart in the Suez Canal's continued operation and U.S.

The Australian sharemarket is currently off by 0.9pct or 46pts to 4826.5, off the back of a weak lead out of the U.S markets and Egyptian political unrest.

The Australian dollar has opened trade todayaround the 0.9900 level as events in the Middle Eastdominated the news in financial markets.

Fears over unrest in Egypt sent U.S. stocks reeling Friday to their biggest one-day decline in months and put an end to the market's eight-week win streak, as investors sought safety while oil prices surged.

The US economy grew at a 3.2pct annual pace in the December quarter, short of forecasts tipping 3.7pct growth. US consumer sentiment rose from 72.7 to 74.2 in January.

The Australian Dollar fell back below 99 cents at the start of Asian session on Friday and consolidated around 0.9890 for the remainder of onshore trade.

The local share market remains under selling pressure at lunchtime in the East, following a muted offshore lead.

The Australian Dollar fell from just shy of parity yesterday to 0.9950 as news hit the wires that Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced that the cost of the recent funding in Queensland would take 0.5% off of Australia's GDP and that the rebuilding cost would be in the region of AUD5.6 billion.

The Australian dollar has opened lowerthis morning as the risk appetite of investors faded duringthe overnight session.

Most Asian markets ended higher Thursday, with Tokyo stocks getting a boost from a bullish earnings view and a slightly weaker yen, but declines in Chinese property developers weighed on shares in China and Hong Kong.

US pending home sales rose 2.0pct in December, above forecasts for a 1.0pct gain. US durable goods orders fell by 2.5pct in December, but was up 1.4pct excluding defence goods and aircraft.

The Australian share market is slightly lower at lunchtime in the East, following a muted offshore lead.

The Australian dollar has been largelyunaffected by last night's FOMC rate announcement.Given there was no new news from the Federal Reserve,the reactioEdit Htmln from currency markets was relativelysubdued.