
The Australian dollar rose above $0.70, approaching a seven-week high, supported by broad weakness in the US dollar and hopes of diplomatic talks in the Middle East. The greenback weakened after Japan confirmed coordinated yen-buying operations with the US Treasury last week, boosting support for the Aussie. Elsewhere, US President Donald Trump said peace talks with Iran will resume after key Middle Eastern allies urged a diplomatic solution and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, lifting risk sentiment. In Australia, markets imply next to no chance the Reserve Bank will hike at its next meeting and only a slim possibility of a move in September. However, markets are pricing roughly even odds of a November hike, reflecting the risk that third-quarter inflation data could come in stronger than expected. The central bank has already raised rates three times this year, and the cumulative tightening is increasingly weighing on the housing market, with prices falling 0.7% in July.





