FOREX - AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR CLOSES HIGHER

The Australian dollar finished the local session at a maximum of 10 months after better than expected U.S. economic data raised the hopes of the world economy and increased commodity-driven currencies to the household.

At 1700 AEST the local currency was trading at 83.58 U.S. cents, up 0.95 percent at Friday's close of 82.79 U.S. cents.