The Australian dollar is higher after weak economic reports cast doubt over the recovery of the US economy, putting downward pressure on the greenback.

At 0700 AEST on Monday, the local unit was trading at 91.87 US cents, up from 91.57 cents on Friday.

The US dollar was weaker after a string of disappointing economic reports cast doubt over the outlook for economic recovery in the US, raising the question of whether or not the US Federal Reserve should taper asset purchases this year.

The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index showed consumer confidence in the US fell from a six-year high of 85.1 to 80 in August while productivity figures were also disappointing.

ANZ senior manager FX in Auckland Sam Tuck said the weaker consumer confidence report drove a broad-based US dollar sell-off on Friday night.

“The gains in productivity in the second quarter were actually higher than expected but there was a fairly large revision in the first quarter, from 0.5 per cent down to -1.7 per cent, which is a bit of a concern,” Tuck said.

“But, if you look at the Michigan confidence report, 80 is quite a negative surprise from 85, but 80 is still above where we were in 2011, 2010, 2009 and most of 2012. We’re still at very high levels overall.

“The US data has been patchy of late but it’s still at relatively high levels.”

Tuck said the only Aussie dollar driver this week would be the Reserve Bank of Australia minutes on Tuesday but, given the RBA statement of monetary policy was released two weeks ago, there was unlikely to be any surprises.

AAP