The Canadian dollar slumped today against the US dollar after crude oil and other commodities declined and the US consumer confidence deteriorated, damping the demand for the currencies tied to the economic growth.

The Australian dollar traded at parity with its US counterpart today before retreating on the speculation that the Aussie rallied too fast.

The US dollar headed today to the lowest level in 15 years before the speech of the Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, which may make clearer the steps intended by the Fed for the quantitative easing.

The Chinese yuan climbed against the US dollar today to its highest level since 1993 on the speculation the Chinese policy makers will submit to the international pressure to allow the currency appreciate with faster pace.

The South Korean won jumped today to the highest level in 5 months after South Korea’s central bank refrained from raising the interest rates.

The Canadian dollar gained today, reaching parity with the US currency for the first time since April, on the rally of the commodity prices and as Canada expected to be the first nation among the Group of Seven to balance its budget.

The rally of the Australian dollar continues and the Aussie traded near the parity with the greenback today as the Asian stocks gained, suggesting the global recovery is gaining momentum.

The Swiss franc slipped today against the euro after Axel Weber said that the European Central Bank should end its bonds-purchase program. The franc also fell after reaching the record high level versus the US dollar.

The Canadian dollar traded near parity with its US counterpart after the report showed the new home prices unexpectedly grew in August and as the commodities rallied, increasing the appeal of the growth-related currencies.

The Asian currencies, including the South Korean won, gained today on the growth prospects of the Asian region and after the US Federal Reserve signaled yesterday that it may add more stimulus to support the economy.