The Australian dollar has pushed higher on expectations the US Federal Reserve will announce a gentle start to tapering of its economic stimulus program.

At 0700 AEST on Wednesday, the local unit was trading at 93.56 US cents, up from 93.24 cents on Tuesday.

The US dollar is weaker against most major currencies ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee’s September monetary policy decision at 0400 AEST on Thursday.

Arab Bank treasury dealer David Scutt said the market was expecting a cautious wind-back of the US central bank’s economic stimulus program, putting pressure on the greenback.

“The Australian dollar continued to push higher overnight, largely on expectations that the Fed will only announce a small ‘taper’ this evening,” Scutt said.

“Given that committee members have been pre-conditioning markets for a reduction in asset purchases for months, we would find it highly unusual if we don’t see a tentative reduction, say $US10-15 billion, at the conclusion of this meeting.

“Such an outcome will have very little impact. It’s all but priced into markets.”

AAP