The Australian dollar has risen above 82 US cents for the first time in two weeks as the US dollar’s recent rally runs out of steam and as metal prices rise.

At 0700 AEDT on Wednesday, the local unit had fallen back somewhat, trading at 81.80 US cents, up from 81.32 cents on Tuesday.

In overnight trade, it peaked at 82.05 US cents, its highest level since December 18.

Easy Forex currency dealer Ricky Liu said there were no data or events to spark the Aussie dollar’s rise and the greenback’s fall.

“Most of the currencies rallied against the US dollar on the back of a drop in the Nikkei and the US dollar falling against the yen,” he said.

Mr Liu said the Australian dollar’s rise was inevitable after several days of falls.

“(In) every rally there’s speculative investors trying to sell,” he said.

“The rally of the US dollar is becoming a little bit limited, and it’s running out of steam.”