AUD/USD shed 19 pips Friday as better than...>

AUSSIE: AUD/USD shed 19 pips Friday as better than expected U.S. housing starts

promoted greenback appreciation. Reported AUD/NZD sales in the Asia-Pac session

were offset by the (on balance) stronger than exp. Chinese data, which was

followed by a USD-driven sell-off ahead of the WMR fix.

- The rate trades flat at $0.6880. Bears look for a break of the $0.6849 Jan 8

low, which would give them a green light for targeting the trendline support at

$0.6825. Bulls eye the $0.6900 mark, followed by the peak of Jan 16 at $0.6934.

- Speaking with The Australian, an ex-RBA policymaker McKibbin argued that

Australia's central bank shouldn't cut the cash rate further as low and falling

rates are starting to undermine consumer confidence.

- The Australian docket this week is headlined by the key labour market report,

due Thursday. Westpac Consumer Confidence Survey and skilled vacancies

(Wednesday), as well as preliminary readings of CBA PMIs (Friday) are also due.