Quotes from Western Union:
- The Aussie dollar ticked higher, reaching its strongest since late January. An unexpected return to growth for China's huge factory sector helped shore up sentiment as did a fresh assurance by the Fed chair that the central bank would move patiently to lift U.S. interest rates.
- A gauge of China manufacturing unexpectedly rose to 50.1 in February, a four-month high, from contractionary 49.7 in January. The data hinted at stabilization in Australia's big trade partner.
