Australian dollar slips

The Australian dollar paused under six-month highs on Monday, in part on profit taking as surprisingly soft retail sales added to the case for a cut in interest rates this week even as the improving global mood seemed to lean against an easing. The Aussie slipped 0.5 percent to $1.0719 on the day, having climbed to $1.0794 on Friday, its highest since August, when an upbeat US jobs report fuelled a risk rally.
A broadly weaker euro held near record lows against the Antipodeans. It was last around A$1.2203, a hair above an all-time trough of A$1.2160 on Friday. Against the kiwi, it traded at NZ$1.5740, having troughed to NZ$1.5645 offshore.