Aussie gains ground versus greenback at the open

Australian dollar tilted higher in Asian trade versus its US counterpart, ahead of US housing and industrial data later today. 

As of 03:52 GMT, AUD/USD rose 0.07% to 0.7177, with an intraday high at 0.7182, and a low at 0.7169. 

Now investors await US data later today, with the Empire State Manufacturing Index expected down to 20.1 from 23.3 in November, while an index tracking housing prices is expected with an increase to 61 from 60.