Australian dollar firmer after poor US jobs data

THE Australian dollar is slightly higher after disappointing US employment figures.

Australian currency.

THE Australian dollar is slightly higher after disappointing US employment figures eased speculation of an interest rate rise by the Federal Reserve.

At 0630 AEST on Tuesday, the local dollar was trading at 76.01 US cents, up from 75.93 cents on Thursday, before the Easter long weekend.

Only 126,000 jobs were added to the US economy in March, ending a streak of 12 consecutive months of job gains above 200,000.

CURRENCY SNAPSHOT AT 0630 AEST ON TUESDAY

One Australian dollar buys:

* 76.01 US cents, from 75.93 cents on Thursday

* 90.82 Japanese yen, from 90.79 yen

* 69.48 euro cents, from 70.42 euro cents

(*Currency closes taken at 1700 AEST previous local session) Source: IRESS

Originally published as Australian dollar firmer after poor US jobs data