Aussie dollar strengthens against weakened greenback as U.S. gov't shutdown looms

SYDNEY, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Australian dollar is ending the week stronger against the greenback, which continued to weaken amid negative sentiment from a potential U.S. government shutdown over spending.

At the Asian open on Friday, the Aussie dollar was trading at 79.96 U.S. cents, up from 79.70 U.S. cents on Thursday.

In the United States, "many Republicans are opposed to adding provisions to a funding bill that extends a children's health program and gives protections to immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally as children," with a "partial shutdown" for the government from Friday midnight set if no deal is reached with U.S. Democrats, Westpac analysts Elliot Clarke and Richard Franulovich wrote in a morning note to investors.

The Aussie dollar also regained its pose from earlier pullbacks in Asia, with "earlier strong Australian jobs data and decent China Q4 GDP" sustaining upbeat sentiment, they said.

The local currency "continues to trade on the front foot" against the greenback and "should continue to attract dip buyers."

At 09:18 (AEDT), the Australian dollar was buying 79.99 U.S. cents. Enditem