Investing.com - The Aussie drifted higher in a light regional data day in Asia on Wednesday with investors cautious ahead of the U.K. vote to remain or leave the European Union.
AUD/USD traded at 0.7455, up 0.05%, while USD/JPY changed hands at 104.79, up 0.05%. GBP/USD was quoted at 1.4663, up 0.06% and EUR/USD gained 0.07% to 1.1249.
In Australia, the MI leading index is due for June with a previous reading of up 0.2%.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was last quoted at 94.16.
Overnight, the dollar moved higher against the other major currencies on Tuesday, following comments by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, although investors remained cautious ahead Thursday’s British referendum on a potential exit from the European Union, or Brexit.
In prepared testimony before the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday, Yellen outlined how the central bank was thrown off course within weeks of raising rates last December by a slowdown in domestic growth and international events.
Some of those clouds remain, Yellen said in comments that seemed to signal no pressing need for the Fed to raise rates.
The Fed president also said the Brexit referendum on Thursday is considered a possible flashpoint for the global economy if Britain decides to cut its ties with the EU.
Investors remained cautious as the most recent poll on the U.K.’s June 23 referendum on membership in the EU showed both camps running neck and neck.
Survation’s latest and final poll before the vote showed that 45% of British citizens preferred to remain in the EU, with 44% opting for a Brexit and 11% undecided.