Aussie has advanced further vs sterling as talk of interest rate hikes is renewed

Sterling slid for the third consecutive day against the Australian currency yesterday as the pressure of recent events and statements continued to weigh heavily.

• The aussie pushed higher, gaining another 0.9%, as the pound failed to shrug off comments made last week that a weak currency was in keeping with the BoE’s policy.
  
• The aussie dollar was also supported from a rise in commodity prices, particularly gold, which rallied back above $1000 per ounce yesterday.
  
• Additionally, risk sentiment among investors returned as stocks in Europe and the US traded strongly, buoying demand for riskier assets.
  
• In trading this morning the aussie has continued to advance, supported by renewed talk that the Reserve Bank of Australia would start raising rates in November.
  
• The speculation came after a central bank watcher said the RBA was almost certain to hike rates by 25 basis points in both November and December, which would make the Australian currency an even more attractive bet for investors searching for bigger returns.