Australian dollar dips after weak China data

SYDNEY, March 24 (Reuters) - The Australian dollar AUD=D4 fell around a quarter of a U.S. cent on Monday after another disappointing reading of China's economy.

The Aussie dropped to $0.9058, from $0.9084 in early trade, but was still within sight of highs of $0.9138 touched last week.

The Aussie is sensitive to data out of China, its key export market. Activity in China's factories shrank for a fifth straight month in March as output and new orders both weakened, a preliminary private survey showed on Monday.

(Reporting by Cecile Lefort; Editing by Paul Tait)

((Cecile.Lefort@thomsonreuters.com)(+61 2 9373-1234)(Reuters Messaging: cecile.lefort.thomsonreuters@reuters.net))

Keywords: AUSTRALIA MARKETS/FOREX