The Australian dollar has dropped below 88 US cents for the first time since July 2010 after official labour force data showed almost 32,000 full-time jobs were lost in December.
US stocks have closed decisively higher following a batch of mostly solid economic and corporate earnings reports, and an upbeat Federal Reserve report.
The Australian dollar has lost more than three-quarters of a US cent overnight as investors position themselves ahead of the release of local jobs data.
The Australian share market closed more than one per cent lower after a top US central bank official raised the prospect of ongoing reductions in the US's economic stimulus program.
The Australian sharemarket has opened flat as traders position themselves for key Chinese economic data releases and quarterly production reports from major resource companies this week.
Gold futures have climbed as investors recalibrate their expectations for Federal Reserve policy after a much weaker-than-expected reading on the US labour market.
The Australian dollar has rallied one US cent following weaker-than-expected US jobs data.
At 0700 AEDT on Monday, the Australian dollar was trading at 90.03 US cents, up from 89.03 cents on Friday.
The Australian stock market has opened flat following a soft lead from Wall Street and ahead of the release of key economic figures in the US and China.
The Australian dollar is a little bit higher, trading in a tight range ahead of the release of US employment figures early on Saturday morning, Australian time.
Australian shares have finished flat as cautious investors worry about a slowdown in China following the release of lower-than-expected inflation figures.
US stocks have closed mostly lower after US Federal Reserve meeting minutes showed most Fed policy makers thought the US economy could withstand reduced monetary stimulus.
