The Australian dollar plunged to a fresh six-year low on Wednesday after a fall in China's official factory gauge sparked renewed pessimism in demand for commodities while sending global markets in a tailspin. The local currency slumped more than 1 per cent to a low of US70.17¢ just before 7am AEST, its lowest level since April 2009. The slide came from a high of US71.47¢ just after 2:30pm on Tuesday following the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to keep official interest rates on hold at a record low 2 per cent. China's official Purchasing Managers' Index dropped to 49.7 for August, the weakest number in three ... (full story)