Aussie driven lower by slower inflation data

Australian dollar declined against most major rivals after data showed US inflation slowed down markedly. 

Recent government data showed consumer prices rose 6.8% in February, slowing down from 7.4% in the previous reading. 

AUD/USD fell 0.4% as of 19:29 GMT to 0.6681. 

Loonie

The Canadian dollar rose 0.2% against the US dollar as of 19:29 GMT to 0.7371. 

Greenback

The dollar index rose 0.2% to 102.6 as of 18:55 GMT, with a session-high at 102.7, and a low at 102.3. 

Banking Crisis 

While concerns over the banking crisis in the US eased recently with authorities intervening to prop up the sector, investors remain concerns about a potential recession due to policy tightening by the Federal Reserve.

BlackRock executives recently ruled out a rate cut this year because of the banking crisis, but noted the Fed might continue to hike interest rates to control inflation.

Additionally, the First Citizens bank agreed to purchase Silicon Valley Bank and carry its entire loans and private deposits.

US President Joe Biden started the banking crisis isn't over yet and warned from compliance.

In Europe, concerns about Deutsche Bank calmed down with the stock rebounding today, and with costs for insuring its debts declined.

Wall Street was boosted by the gains in the banking sector, with the SPDR-S&P index for regional banks rose over 1%.

The VIX "fear index" for Wall Street, which monitors volatility, tumbled 3.55% to 19.26, the lowest since March 8.

Earlier US data showed pending house sales tumbled 21.1% in February y/y,