$A firms as traders overlook Detroit woes THE Australian dollar is slightly firmer after a quiet day of trade. At the close on Friday, the currency was worth 91.71 US cents, up from Thursday's 91.52 cents. Bond markets gained strength after Detroit became the largest city in US history to file for bankruptcy, following decades of decline in the rundown heartland of American car manufacturing. But Commonwealth Bank chief currency strategist Richard Grace said the Australian dollar, which is often tied to risk sentiment, appeared to be unfazed as credit ratings agency Moody's upgraded its outlook for the US from negative to stable. That would have offset an issue about Detroit. I don't think it's had a big impact at all," he said. As the local session ended, the Australian dollar was worth 91.75 Japanese yen, down from Thursday's close of 91.82 yen, and 69.82 euro cents, down from 69.85 euro cents. The Australian dollar reached an intraday high of 91.96 US cents in early afternoon trade. The currency had earlier dropped against a resurgent greenback, following stronger than expected manufacturing data and a 24,000 drop in weekly jobless claims. But Mr Grace said there was no one factor which helped the Australian dollar recover. "It's been very, very quiet," he said. It's hard to pull out any particular catalyst for a direction. It really is. Meanwhile, Australian bond futures contract prices have finished flat, with 10-year bonds recovering from heavy losses on the Detroit news. At 1630 AEST the September 10-year bond futures contract was trading at 96.325 (implying a yield of 3.675 per cent), down marginally from 96.330 (3.670) on Thursday.