Aud was Initially supported by...............>

AUSSIE: Aud was Initially supported by stronger-than-expected Westpac Consumer

Sentiment data overnight. News that Democratic Jones had won the Alabama Senate

election then triggered modest dollar weakness, Aud-Usd lifted from $0.7553 to

$0.7581 before light profit take sales emerged off the high. RBA Governor Lowe

also spoke overnight but made no reference to monetary policy. Light offers are

reported on approach to $0.7600 ($0.7598 - Hourly recovery high Dec6). Last

$0.7568.

* Main focus today is the FOMC Rate Announcement at 1900GMT. The FOMC are widely

expected to hike rates 25bp, though markets expect their tone to be dovish.

Traders then turn attention to RBA Kent who is speaking in Sydney at 0000GMT,

followed by the release of Australian Labour Market data at 0030GMT.