The Australian dollar depreciated below $0.67 on Thursday, easing from fifteen-month highs, as investors continued to assess the prospect of a February interest rate hike, while weaker-than-expected trade data weighed on sentiment. Figures showed the country's goods trade surplus narrowed to AUD 2.94 billion in November, the smallest in three months and falling short of forecasts of AUD 4.9 billion. Meanwhile, markets remain divided on whether the Reserve Bank will move soon, with some economists cautioning that an abrupt rate increase could disrupt Australia’s still-fragile recovery. Such a move may place renewed pressure on the private sector, which has only recently begun to show signs of improvement. After November’s mixed inflation report, attention now turns to quarterly CPI data due later this month for a clearer view on the policy outlook. RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser said the inflation slowdown was “helpful” but largely expected and inflation was still too high.