Australian Dollar Buoyant But Risks Of Retreat Mounting

                             Rates At 0515 GMT                             Latest       Change   AUD/USD                   1.0348       +0.17%   AUD/JPY                   86.485       +1.18%   6.5% May, 2013            4.9438%      +0.0239   4.5% Apr, 2020            5.5023%      +0.0356   10-Yr Spread To U.S.      +204 bps     +5 bps   SFE June 3-Year Futures   94.89        -0.04   SFE June 10-Year Futures  94.45        -0.05   

SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--The Australian dollar remained buoyant Friday around its highest levels in close to 30 years, but signs of strain emerged as more analysts began to forecast an end to its stellar rally.

The first headwind could emerge in New York trading late as global markets await U.S. payrolls data, which is tipped to show strength in job creation, fanning the view that a recovery in the world's largest economy is gaining traction.

Confirmation of an improved U.S. job market is expected to strengthen calls for the U.S. Federal Reserve to take steps toward winding back quantitative easing, a decision which is widely expected to spur gains in the U.S. dollar.

Economists in a Dow Jones Newswires survey expect the report to show U.S. employers added 195,000 new jobs in March, following 192,000 new hires in February. The unemployment rate is forecast to stay unchanged at 8.9%.

French bank BNP Paribas said Friday the Australian dollar's rally is looking tired especially
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