By Ankur Banerjee and Alun John

SINGAPORE/LONDON (Reuters) – The U.S. greenback held regular on Tuesday forward of testimony earlier than Congress by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, whereas the slid after the Reserve Financial institution of Australia hinted it’d almost be carried out with financial tightening.

The Australian greenback was the day’s main G10 mover, sliding as a lot as 0.79% to $0.6679, its lowest since late December even because the central financial institution raised its money charge as anticipated by 25 foundation factors to three.60%, the best in additional than a decade.

However in a dovish transfer, the RBA modified a reference to additional charge “will increase”, saying as an alternative that “additional tightening” can be wanted, suggesting the central financial institution could be nearing the top of its cycle of will increase.

“An preliminary look at RBA’s assertion suggests they’re nearing the top of the tightening cycle, and maybe one step nearer to publicly discussing a pause,” stated Matt Simpson, senior market analyst at Metropolis Index.

Elsewhere, the euro, sterling and yen have been all broadly regular with the widespread foreign money at $1.0671, the pound at $1.20245, and one greenback price 135.7 yen.

That meant , which measures the unit in opposition to six main rivals, was additionally flat at 104.3, having slipped 0.26% a day earlier. The index is down 0.6% for the month to date following a 2.8% achieve in February.

Investor consideration on Tuesday and Wednesday will likely be firmly on Fed chair Powell’s testimony earlier than Congress, with the February non-farm payrolls report due on Friday additionally keenly awaited.

“At this time’s semi-annual testimony will likely be necessary in figuring out whether or not the US greenback can regain upward momentum within the week forward,” stated Lee Hardman, senior foreign money analyst at MUFG.

“Market contributors will likely be searching for clear alerts from the Fed Chair Powell that he’s contemplating adjusting his plans for under a pair extra hikes this 12 months, and shows some concern over latest stronger US exercise and inflation.”

“If (he) stays cautious … that would set off the greenback index to fall additional beneath the 105.00-level forward of the discharge of the NFP report on Friday.”

After delivering important rises final 12 months, the Fed raised rates of interest by 25 foundation factors at its previous two conferences, however resilient financial knowledge all through February stoked fears of the central financial institution going again to larger steps.

Fed funds futures pricing signifies a 78% likelihood the Fed will increase charges by 25 foundation factors at its March assembly, with a 22% probability of a 50 foundation hike. In addition they count on rates of interest to peak at 5.46% in September and nonetheless be above 5% on the finish of the 12 months.

Traders are additionally awaiting the ultimate coverage assembly for Financial institution of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda on Thursday and Friday, when the central financial institution is ready to stay to its ultra-loose financial path.

Information on Tuesday confirmed Japan’s actual wages fell probably the most in almost 9 years in January as four-decade-high inflation squeezed the buying energy of shoppers.