The Australian dollar is lower after the release of disappointing local jobs figures on Thursday, and after Wall Street was dragged down by the tech stocks.

At 0635 AEST on Friday, the local currency was worth 77.31 US cents, down from 78.01 US cents on Thursday.

US stocks have closed lower, after technology stocks from Apple to chipmakers declined following a weak forecast on smartphone demand.

On Thursday, official employment data showed the unemployment rate stayed steady at 5.5 per cent in March, but the number of Australians with jobs only rose by 4,900, well below the gain of 20,000 the market was expecting.

One Australian dollar buys 83.00 Japanese yen, from 83.77 yen and 62.61 euro cents, from 63.01 euro cents.

AAP

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