Aussie gains ground despite mixed data

The Australian dollar rose against a basket of major rivals on Tuesday following mixed data.

Government data today showed the Australian manufacturing PMI fell to 49.9 from 47.3. 

Australia’s services PMI fell to 54.2 this month from 54.4. 

On trading, AUD/USD rose 0.6% as of 20:53 GMT to 0.6488. 

The Pound 

The GBP/USD rose 0.8% to 1.2451 as of 20:54 GMT. 

Earlier UK data showed the manufacturing PMI tumbled to 48.7 from 50.3. 

However the services PMI improved to 54.9 from 53.0. 

The Dollar

The dollar index fell 0.4% as of 20:37 GMT to 105.6, with a session-high at 106.2, and a low at 105.6. 

As for data, analysts expect the US GDP to grow at a 2.3% pace in the first quarter, with results coming out tomorrow. 

US personal spending data are expected to have climbed 0.3% in Marc, with results due on Friday.

Earlier data today showed the manufacturing PMI down to 49.9 this month from 51.9 in March, while the services PMI fell to 50.9 from 51.7.