* Australian dollar slipped below 65 U.S. cents on Wednesday, retreating further from recent two-week highs, as waning risk appetite and a gloomy outlook for the global economy kept investors away from commodity-linked currencies.
* Regional stocks were lower, hurt by a fresh batch of weak data from the world's largest economy. Data showed the U.S. economy shrank at its fastest pace in seven years in the third quarter as consumer spending plunged to a 28-year low. Another
report also showed U.S. home prices plunged in September.
* The U.S. Federal Reserve announced plans to buy up to $100 billion of debt issued by government-sponsored mortgage enterprises, and a $200-billion program to help consumer finance, but scepticism remained about these measures with interbank
lending rates creeping up, suggesting credit conditions were tightening again.
* Shortly after midday, the Aussie was at $0.6480 against the U.S. dollar, up from $0.6436 late here on Tuesday, but well below a near two-week high of $0.6618 struck in offshore trade.
* The Aussie eased against the yen, falling to 61.57 yen. It pulled away from a one-week high of 63.70 yen struck on Tuesday as investors turned risk averse and unwound leveraged carry trades.
* Gold prices retreated further from a six-week high in Asian trade. The CRB index fell 2.4 percent on Tuesday as prices of oil, precious and base metals fell on worries of a dour economic outlook. BHP Billiton's decision to dump its $66
billion bid for rival Rio Tinto also weighed down.
* Australian bond futures were firmer, aided by safe-haven inflows, but eased from highs as investors booked some profits. Three-year Australian bond futures were indicated 0.03 points higher at 96.405, while the 10-year contract added
0.06 points to 95.375.
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