THE dollar has risen a third of a US cent, as the market digests mixed local employment figures.
At midday (AEDT), the local unit was trading at US101.05c, up from yesterday's local close of US100.71c.
Since 7am, the dollar has moved between a high of US101.16c and and a low of US100.65c.
Today, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported the nation's jobless rate remained at5 per cent in February, while total employment fell by a seasonally adjusted 10,100 to 11.413 million in the month.
The forecast was for total employment to have risen by 20,000, with unemployment steady at five per cent, according to the median of 11 economists surveyed.
IG Markets research analyst Ben Potter said the local currency lost value following the data's release.
"The headline figure of 10,000 jobs being lost was what the Aussie dollar quickly sold off on but, it's since rallied all the way back," Mr Potter said.
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"That probably took a few people by surprise.
"But the unemployment rate didn't move and the fact that the Aussie dollar has rallied all the way back to where it was tells you that the market's not really worried about it, once it looks a little bit deeper into the numbers."
In international news, Saudi Arabian opposition groups said they were preparing for a national "day of rage" on Friday, which is expected to see thousands of protesters take to the street.
Mr Potter said this could impact investor risk appetite.
"This will probably increase the fears and contagion of what's happening over there and may weigh on riskier assets as well."
Meanwhile, the local bond market was firmer at noon.
At midday on the ASX 24, the March 10-year bond futures contract price was 94.460 (implying a yield of 5.540 per cent), up from yesterday's close of 94.435 (5.565 per cent).
The March three-year bond futures contract price was 94.905 (5.095 per cent), up from its previous close of 94.890 (5.110 per cent).
Fed’s hand strengthens on tame inflation dataDollar stays lower after US jobs data
