The Australian dollar was the day's major G10 mover, sliding as much as 0.79% to $0.6679, its lowest since late December even as the central bank raised its cash rate as expected by 25 basis points to 3.60%, the highest in more than a decade. But in a dovish move, the RBA changed a reference to further rate "increases", saying instead that "further tightening" would be needed, suggesting the central bank might be nearing the end of its cycle of increases. "An initial glance at RBA's statement suggests they are nearing the end of the tightening cycle, and perhaps one step closer to publicly discussing a pause," said Matt Simpson, senior market analyst at City Index. Elsewhere, the euro, sterling and yen were all broadly steady with the common currency at $1.0671 , the pound at $1.20245 , and one dollar worth 135.7 yen .
That meant U.S. dollar index , which measures the unit against six major rivals, was also flat at 104.3, having slipped 0.26% a day earlier. The index is down 0.6% for the month so far following a 2.8% gain in February. Investor attention on Tuesday and Wednesday will be firmly on Fed chair Powell's testimony before Congress, with the February non-farm payrolls report due on Friday also keenly awaited.
"Today’s semi-annual testimony will be important in determining whether the US dollar can regain upward momentum in the week ahead," said Lee Hardman, senior currency analyst at MUFG.
"Market participants will be looking for clear signals from
the Fed Chair Powell that he is considering adjusting his plans
for only a couple more hikes this year, and displays some
concern over recent stronger US activity and inflation."
"If (he) remains cautious ... that could trigger the dollar index to fall further below the 105.00-level ahead of the release of the NFP report on Friday."
After delivering significant rises last year, the Fed raised
interest rates by 25 basis points at its past two meetings, but
resilient economic data throughout February stoked fears of the
central bank going back to bigger steps.
Fed funds futures pricing indicates a 78% probability the
Fed will raise rates by 25 basis points at its March meeting,
with a 22% chance of a 50 basis hike. They also expect interest
rates to peak at 5.46% in September and still be above 5% at the
end of the year. Investors are also awaiting the final policy meeting for
Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda on Thursday and Friday,
when the central bank is set to stick to its ultra-loose
monetary path.
Data on Tuesday showed Japan's real wages fell the most in
nearly nine years in January as four-decade-high inflation
squeezed the purchasing power of consumers.
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(Reporting by Ankur Banerjee and Rae Wee in Singapore and Alun
John in London; Editing by Shri Navaratnam and Bernadette Baum)
