• AUD/USD opens 0.5% higher as U.S. core CPI softens, rising 0.2% as expected
• Comes as relief to markets as core CPI had risen 0.3% for 4 straight months
• U.S. yields drop sharply, stocks surge as chance of Fed rate hike ruled out
• Rate futures price in 38 bps of easing in 2025, up from 26 bps on Tuesday
• Fed officials say latest inflation data helpful as they await Trump policies
• Rising commodity prices support AUD; NYK copper +1.3%, rises to a 2-mth high
• Australia Dec employment data Thu, key for RBA rate expectations
• Unemployment rate expected at 4% from previous 3.9%, rise of 15k jobs f'cast
• Resistance 0.6245, 0.6260, support 0.6195-0.6200, 0.6175-80
• Wednesday range 0.6181-0.6247
AUD
(Krishna Kumar is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own.)