Asian currencies consolidated against the US Dollar in early trading, while the Australian Dollar was little changed at US$0.7160. The dollar stood at 159.98 yen and 1,377.10 won after Fed Chairman Warsh’s Friday speech reinforced the central bank’s inflation-fighting credibility without committing policymakers to a September rate increase. OCBC Group Research strategists said further tightening remained possible if inflation does not ease meaningfully, adding that a firmer US Dollar could pressure Asian foreign-exchange markets. Earlier market indicators showed the probability of a 25-basis-point hike at the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting rising to 42% from 35% a week earlier, while the US Dollar Index reached 104.80, its highest level in two weeks. Investors are also awaiting China’s official manufacturing and non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index data. Reuters-polled economists expect manufacturing PMI to remain at 49.5 for a third consecutive month, a contractionary reading that could weigh on Australian exports such as iron ore and coal. AUD/USD is focused on support at 0.7150 and 0.7100, with resistance at 0.7200 and 0.7250.