The dollar edged lower on Wednesday as traders assessed the odds of a rate hike by the Federal Reserve next week, while the Aussie scaled a fresh three-week high in the wake of a rate increase and a decidedly hawkish stance by its central bank .

The Australian dollar peaked at $0.6690 in early Asia trade, its highest since mid-May, buoyed by lingering effects of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) quarter-point interest rate increase to an 11-year high on Tuesday.

In the broader currency market, the U.S. dollar dipped in early Asia trade, as traders pared back their expectations of a rate hike at next week's FOMC meeting.

Against the greenback, sterling rose 0.08% to $1.2432, while the kiwi gained 0.08% to $0.6084.

The U.S. dollar index slipped 0.03% to 104.05, while the euro rose 0.07% to $1.0698.

Euro zone consumers lowered their inflation expectations, a European Central Bank survey showed, a relief for policymakers after an unexpected surge a month earlier.

Against the Japanese yen , the greenback slipped 0.27% to 139.26.

Source : Reuters