Japan’s consumer spending slips, yen extends gainsThe Japanese yen has posted gains on Friday. In the European session, USD/JPY is trading at 152.38, down 0.36% on the day. The yen has taken traders on a roller-coaster ride this week, plunging 2% on Wednesday and rebounding on Thursday with a 1.1% gain.
Japan’s household spending fell by 1.1% y/y in September, following a 1.9% drop in August. This was better than the market estimate of -2.1%. Household spending has declined in 10 of the past 12 months, as consumer confidence fell in October and inflation is relatively high. On a monthly basis, household spending decreased 1.3%, after a strong 2% gain in August. This beat the market estimate of 0.7%.
The weak yen is also weighing on consumers, who are being squeezed as their purchasing power has fallen. The yen fell to three-month lows this week against the dollar and if the downswing continues, the Bank of Japan will be under pressure to respond with a rate hike.
Although consumers are holding tight on the purse strings, wages have been rising and the BoJ is hopeful that will translate into increased consumer spending and demand-driven inflation. Consumer spending makes up more than half of the economy and BoJ is unlikely to make further rate hikes until it sees stronger consumer spending. The markets don’t expect a rate hike until early 2025.
The Federal Reserve didn’t surprise anyone with a 25-basis point rate cut on Wednesday. This is the second cut in the easing cycle after an oversized 50-bp chop in September. The vote was unanimous and unlike the Bank of Japan, the Fed has been transparent and telegraphed its plan to cut rates ahead of the meeting. The Fed is expected to continue cutting rates in the coming meeting and will be keeping a close eye on inflation and employment reports.
USD/JPY faces resistance at 153.44 and 154.17
152.16 and 151.43 are the next support levels
RBA
RBA Holds, BoE Expected to Cut in Volatile Week Two major central bank decisions this week join the U.S. election as key events for markets, with interest rate reductions from the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Bank of England being considered.
The RBA will announce its decision Tuesday (local time), with economists polled by Reuters forecasting no change to the current 4.35% cash rate. Persistently robust economic activity and sticky core inflation are thought to be keeping the central bank cautious. All major Australian banks—ANZ, CBA, NAB, and Westpac—expect the RBA to hold steady through year-end, projecting the first rate cut to come in February 2025.
Meanwhile, the BoE is anticipated to lower its Bank Rate by 25-basis points on Thursday (local time), bringing it to 4.75%, according to a Reuters poll. Last week Britain's finance minister Rachel Reeves unveiled an unexpectedly large increase in borrowing and public spending, which prompted the Office for Budget Responsibility to raise inflation forecasts. However, analysts suggest that these fiscal moves won’t likely disrupt the BoE’s path toward a rate cut this week.
Aussie:Elliott Wave Structure Suggests More Downside After RallyThe RBA stands out with a potentially different approach compared to other central banks, as inflation in Autralia remains relatively high, making rate cuts this week less likely. This could support a rally in the Aussie, which aligns with the Elliott Wave pattern showing wave A in its final stages, with a strong five wave sell-off from September highs.
A bounce could develop then, especially if the HSI remains stable or even moves higher this week.
However, once the Aussie shows a solid recovery, be awre for a potential resumption of the downtrend, ideally from around 0.67 resistance; from the area of a former wave four. For those trading this pair, it’s worth waiting for a bounce before entering on the short-side.
Grega
AUDNZD strong bullish expectations for next periods
AUDNZD RBA coming in new week, technically what can see on medium and long term AUD having strong bullish expectations.
I watch on AUDNZD like "speacial" pair, what we are can see in last periods we have and changes on EUR and USD rate cut are start going lower, believe that will same have impact and on AUDNZD trend, expecting now stronger bullish changes on this pair for next medium and long term periods.
This period for me is highly good for entry long. Currently price on strong trend line. And +bouncing from this week on strong weekly zone (1.08100).
Expectations for RBA are bullish boost for AUD.
TP: 1.12000 (300)
TP2: 1.14000 (500)
Aussie dollar strengthens as RBA moves opposite with Fed
The RBA is less likely to cut rates as Australia's labor market remains tight. Australia's Aug Unemployment Rate held steady at 4.2%, while labor participation surged to a record high of 67.1%. Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers emphasized that the increasing number of jobs and opportunities for Australians is a very encouraging development. The RBA also clarified that inflation could continue to decrease if the Unemployment Rate increases further. As the RBA continues to uphold its hawkish stance while the Fed declares a 0.50% rate cut, the Aussie dollar may persist in its upward trajectory.
AUDUSD extended its uptrend, breaching the psychological resistance at 0.6800. The price rose above both EMAs, while EMA21 widened the gap with EMA78, sending a bullish signal.
If AUDUSD sustains its uptrend while holding above EMA21, the price could gain upward momentum toward the 0.6870 high. Conversely, if AUDUSD fails to hold above EMA21 and breaks the support at 0.6730, the price may fall further to the 0.6640 level.
Aussie dollar strengthens as RBA moves opposite with Fed
The RBA is less likely to cut rates as Australia's labor market remains tight. Australia's Aug Unemployment Rate held steady at 4.2%, while labor participation surged to a record high of 67.1%. Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers emphasized that the increasing number of jobs and opportunities for Australians is a very encouraging development. The RBA also clarified that inflation could continue to decrease if the Unemployment Rate increases further. As the RBA continues to uphold its hawkish stance while the Fed declares a 0.50% rate cut, the Aussie dollar may persist in its upward trajectory.
AUDUSD extended its uptrend, breaching the psychological resistance at 0.6800. The price rose above both EMAs, while EMA21 widened the gap with EMA78, sending a bullish signal.
If AUDUSD sustains its uptrend while holding above EMA21, the price could gain upward momentum toward the 0.6870 high. Conversely, if AUDUSD fails to hold above EMA21 and breaks the support at 0.6730, the price may fall further to the 0.6640 level.
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AUD/USD: Watch for a Reversal with RBA Decision AUD/USD continues to hit new yearly highs as risk sentiment improves following the FOMC’s 50-basis-point rate cut last week and today’s Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting, where no rate change is expected.
However, a dovish tilt from the RBA meeting notes could shift the pair’s momentum, with the 200-Day Moving Average acting as a key level to watch. Also, keep an eye on the RSI, which is nearing the overbought zone at 70 on the daily chart.
Beyond the RBA decision later today, Australian inflation data is set for release tomorrow, with headline inflation expected to drop sharply from 3.5% to 3.1%.
AUD/USD rises to eight-month high, RBA nextThe Australian dollar has started the week with gains. AUD/USD touched a high of 0.6850, its highest level this year. In the North American session, the Australian dollar is trading at 0.6842, up 0.51% on the day.
The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to maintain the cash rate at 4.35% at Tuesday’s meeting. The RBA has held rates since November, making it an outlier among the major central banks, most of which have lowered interest rates. Underlying inflation is at 3.9%, much higher than the target of between 2% and 3%. Australia releases August CPI on Wednesday, with headline CPI expected to fall to 2.8%, compared to 3.5% in July.
The RBA was more cautious than other central banks during the rate-tightening cycle and its cash rate peaked one percent below the Federal Reserve. The flip side is that the RBA has been less aggressive as far as cutting rates and Governor Bullock has said that there are no plans to cut before February 2025.
The RBA’s rate hikes have chilled economic growth as consumption has fallen sharply and GDP grew by only 1% in the second quarter. Still, the labor market has remained robust and unemployment is at 4.2%, as large-scale immigration has boosted the economy and helped avoid a recession.
In the US, today’s PMIs had no impact on AUD/USD. The manufacturing PMI slipped to 47.0 in September, down from 47.9 in August and well off the market estimate of 48.5. This was the lowest level in thirteen months as new orders fell sharply. The services sector is in better shape as the PMI ticked lower to 54.4, compared to 54.6 in August and slightly above the market estimate of 54.3.
0.6865 has held in resistance since December 2023. Above, there is resistance at 0.6923
0.6781 and 0.6723 are the next support levels
AUDCHF: RBA and SNB Can Send Pair even higherIn this article, I will take a closer look at AUD/CHF, and the reason for focusing on this pair is the potential divergence between the RBA and the SNB, which could push the pair even higher. The RBA is expected to hold rates at 4.35%, as inflation slightly increased year-on-year to 3.8% in the second quarter, up from 3.6% in the first quarter. On the other hand, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) may once again cut rates, which could help keep AUD/CHF in an uptrend.
Looking at the wave structure, we have seen a very nice ABC setback down to 0.5605, which ended in mid-September. Ideally, we are now in a new impulsive phase. However, for this current leg up to be completed, we need to see five waves up, and based on the subdivisions, that is not the case yet. In fact, a wave four correction could appear in the next few days, presenting an opportunity to join the uptrend. Support can be found around the 0.5780 area, which also aligns with the previous wave B swing area.
The price should not fall below 0.5729, otherwise the wave count will become invalid.
AUD/USD climbs on Aussie job data, Fed rate cutThe Australian dollar has posted sharp gains on Thursday. AUD/USD rose as much as 1% before paring most of those gains. In the North American session, the Australian dollar is trading at 0.6792, up 0.41% on the day.
Australia created 47.5 thousand jobs in August, close to the revised 48.9 thousand in July and crushing the market estimate of 25 thousand. The gains were all part-time positions as full-time jobs actually declined by 3.1 thousand. Still, investors gave a thumbs-up and the Australian dollar is up sharply today. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2%, in line with market expectations.
The Reserve Bank of Australia remains an outlier among the major central banks as it is yet to lower rates. The RBA has maintained rates at 4.35% since November but its “higher for longer” stance has not brought down inflation as much as expected. Inflation has dropped to 3.5% but that is still higher than the inflation target range of between 2 and 3 percent. The RBA meets next Wednesday, a day before the August inflation report and is expected to maintain rates.
In one of the most anticipated rate meetings in recent memory, the Federal Reserve surprised the markets with an oversize cut of 50 basis points. The markets were unsure right up to decision time whether the Fed would go with a modest 25 bps cut or the large 50 bps cut. In the end, the Fed opted for the deeper cut in a near-unanimous decision (11 of 12 members voted in favor).
The message from the Fed was that it is confident that inflation will remain sustainably near the 2% target and that the weak labor market was in need of strong relief. In his press conference, Fed Chair Powell tried to assure the markets that the US economy was in good shape and that today’s move was not a signal that further 50 bps cuts were on the way.
AUD/USD is testing resistance at 0.6798. Above, there is resistance at 0.6862
0.6751 and 0.6687 are the next support levels
AU Bears "Head" Down to Target .6570Here I have AUD/USD on the Daily Chart!
From Friday's High @ .67672 to its Low @ .66597, we can see we get the Confirmation of a strong reversal pattern with the Break of the Neckline of the Head & Shoulders!
Now what I'd like to see off the same High and Low of Friday is Price give us a 38.2% Retracement of the Low & Pullback to test the Neckline for potential Sell Entries.
( .67008 - .6697 )
Swing High of Head to Neckline = 126.9 Pips
Neckline - 126.9 = .6570 (Target)
Fundamentals:
AUD's undoing comes from a mix of a rise in Unemployment to 4.2% and Retail Sales ending August coming in @ 0%
With the horrible run of jobs reports for the USD to start September, it managed to recover to end the week and give the idea that a 50 bps Rate Cut is less likely sitting at a 30% change and a 25 bps Rate Cut more likely at a 70% chance at the Sept 18th meeting.
-RBA Interest Rate sits @ 4.35%
-Fed Interest Rate sits @ 5.5%
This upcoming week will be VERY news heavy for USD seeing as there is:
-Core CPI, CPI m & y on Wednesday, Sept. 11th
-Core PPI/ PPI m/m & Unemployment Claims on Thursday, Sept 12th!
AUD/USD steady despite weak GDPThe Australian dollar is drifting on Wednesday. AUD/USD is trading at 0.6704 in the European session, down 0.10% today at the time of writing. The Australian dollar took a bath a day earlier, sliding 1.1%, one of the sharpest daily declines this year.
Australia’s economy gained a paltry 0.2% q/q in the second quarter, shy of the market estimate of 0.3% and unchanged for a third consecutive quarter. This was the softest pace of growth in five quarters and the small gain was driven by higher government spending as household spending declined. Yearly, GDP climbed 1%, in line with the market estimate and down from 1.3% in the first quarter. This was the lowest annual GDP release since the fourth quarter of 2020.
Australia’s economic picture is being described by some local commentators as a “horror show”. This is not a wild exaggeration as GDP is in the doldrums, inflation remains sticky and consumer spending was flat in July. The Reserve Bank has maintained rates at 4.35% since November but inflation hasn’t fallen as quickly as anticipated.
The GDP release is unlikely to be a factor at the Reserve Bank of Australia’s next meeting on Sept. 24. The central bank is primarily concerned with inflation and the labor market. Governor Bullock has essentially ruled out a rate cut in the next six months but the markets have priced in a rate cut before year’s end and more cuts in early 2025.
Bullock will speak at an event in Sydney early on Thursday and the markets will be looking for some insights from the hawkish Governor regarding future rate policy.
There is support at 0.6681 and 0.6650
0.6738 and 0.6769 are the next resistance lines
AUD/USD sinks ahead of GDPThe Australian dollar is sharply lower on Tuesday. AUD/USD is trading at 0.6732 in the European session, down 0.88% today at the time of writing.
Australia’s economy has been sputtering and the markets aren’t expecting much change from second-quarter GDP on Wednesday. GDP is expected to trickle lower to 1% y/y, down from 1.1% in Q1, which was the weakest pace of growth since Q4 2020. Quarterly, the market estimate for GDP stands at 0.3%, compared to 0.1% in Q1.
GDP-per-capita is expected to be negative, another indication that economic activity remains subdued. Australia has been hit by a drop in iron ore and core prices and exports fell by 4.4% in the second quarter, which doesn’t bode well for the Australian dollar.
The GDP is unlikely to change the Reserve Bank of Australia’s plans when it meets on Sept. 24. The central bank is closely watching inflation, which remains stubbornly high, as well as the labor market. Governor Bullock has said she has no plans to lower the cash rate from its current 4.35% for the next six months. The RBA has stuck to its “higher for longer” stance and has maintained rates since November.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to lower rates on September 18, with a 70% likelihood of a quarter-point cut and a 31% likelihood of a half-point cut. Ahead of the meeting is a crucial employment report on Friday. The previous jobs report was much weaker than expected and triggered a meltdown in the financial markets. Another weak jobs report would raise the likelihood of a half-point cut, while a solid release will cement a quarter-point cut.
AUD/USD has pushed below support at 0.6780 and is testing support at 0.6737. Below, there is support at 0.6708
0.6809 and 0.6852 are the next resistance lines
Australian CPI falls but markets not impressedThe Australian dollar continues to have a quiet week. AUD/USD is trading at 0.6796 in the European session, up 0.06% on the day at the time of writing.
Australia’s inflation rate continued to decelerate in July, although the markets were hoping for more. CPI rose 3.5%, down from 3.8% in June but above the market estimate of 3.4%. This was the lowest figure since March but much of the decline was driven by electricity rebates which artificially lowered electricity prices.
Core inflation eased but goods inflation remained flat. The markets weren’t impressed with the inflation data and the odds of a rate cut in November fell to 48%, down from 58% prior to the inflation release.
The markets are more dovish than the Reserve Bank of Australia, which has discussed raising rates at recent meetings. The central bank is not satisfied with the pace of underlying inflation and has projected that it won’t return to the target band of 2% to 3% until the end of 2025. Governor Bullock has said that the Bank has no plans to cut for at least six months, but the markets are betting that the RBA won’t stay on the sidelines while the Fed and other major central banks are lowering rates.
The financial markets are hanging onto every word from FOMC members and we’ll hear from members Christopher Waller later today and Rafael Bostic early on Thursday. As well, the US releases second estimate GDP for the second quarter on Thursday.
The initial estimate showed the economy powering ahead with a 2.8% gain, double the 1.4% pace in Q1. The second estimate is expected to confirm the initial reading and confirm that the economy remains in solid shape, despite concerns about a weak employment labor which led to a market meltdown earlier this month.
AUD/USD is testing support at 0.6784. Below, there is support at 0.6771
0.6805 and 0.6818 are the next resistance lines
Aussie jumps as RBA says rates could riseThe Australian dollar has had a busy week and is showing strong gains on Thursday. In the European session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6550, up 0.50% at the time of writing.
Two days after the Reserve Bank of Australia held the cash rate, Governor Bullock reinforced her hawkish stance on monetary policy. At the meeting, Bullock dropped a bombshell, saying she didn’t expect a rate cut for at least the next six months.
Bullock said earlier today that the central bank wouldn’t hesitate to raise rates if needed, arguing that “the alternative of persistently high inflation is worse”. The RBA discussed the possibility of a rate hike at recent meetings and today Bullock said the RBA board had “explicitly considered” a rate hike at Tuesday’s meeting. The Australian dollar has responded with strong gains to Bullock’s hawkish remarks.
At the Tuesday meeting, the central bank opted to maintain rates at the 12-year high of 4.35% for a seventh straight time. At a time when other major central banks have lowered rates and the mighty Federal Reserve is poised to make an initial cut in September, the RBA could well move in the opposite direction.
The blame can be squarely put on inflation, which remains sticky, especially services prices. The RBA is projecting that CPI, which rose to 3.9% in the second quarter, won’t recede to 2-3% target until late 2025. The labor market continues to remain tight to the large-scale immigration, which will also make it difficult for the RBA to reduce rates.
The financial markets are not marching to Bullock’s hawkish tune and widely expect a rate cut in December. The RBA has a poor track record with its forward guidance, particularly when it pledged in 2020 not to raise rates until 2023 and then hiked in May 2022. As well, the trend among central banks has been to lower rates and the RBA risks becoming an outlier if its raises rates.
AUD/USD pushed above resistance at 0.6520 and tested resistance at 0.6559 earlier
0.6471 and 0.6432 are the next support levels
AUD/USD remains under pressure as RBA holds ratesThe Australian dollar gained ground earlier but has reversed directions and has edged lower. In the European session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6778, down 0.24% at the time of writing.
The Reserve Bank of Australia held the cash rate at 4.35% for a seventh straight time today. The markets had fully priced in this move and the Australian dollar’s reaction has been muted.
At her press conference, RBA Governor Bullock said that policymakers had discussed the possibility of raising rates at today’s meeting. This has become a pattern for the RBA, which considered hiking rates in previous meetings but opted to hold rates each time. Bullock dropped a bombshell when she said that the central bank was unlikely to lower interest rates for at least six months due to inflation being too high.
Bullock said that the markets were “a little bit ahead of themselves” in pricing rate cuts, but the markets still expect the Bank to start lowering rates before the end of the year. The RBA is currently forecasting that inflation, which rose to 3.8% in Q2, will not drop to the midpoint of the 1-3% target band until mid-2026.
The RBA Governor noted the sudden meltdown in global stock markets, but said this development had not factored in to today’s rate decision. The rout stocks was a reaction to a soft US employment report on Friday, which has raised fears of a US recession.
The Australian dollar wobbled on Monday, falling as much as 2.4% before recovering most of these losses. The S&P ASX 200 index, the country’s benchmark stock index, declined by 3.7% on Monday but has stabilized today.
There is resistance at 0.6562 and 0.6627
0.6455 and 0.6390 are the next support levels
AUD/USD slides on fears over the US economyThe Australian dollar has taken a nasty spill to start off the trading week. AUD/USD dropped as much has 2.5% in the Asian session and fell to its lowest levels since November 2023. The Aussie has pared those losses and is down 0.96% at the time of writing, trading at 0.6448.
The Reserve Bank of Australia meets early Tuesday and it’s a virtual certainty that the Bank will hold the cash rate at 4.35%. The RBA has maintained rates six straight times and policy makers have discussed raising rates at recent meetings. This goes against the grain of the current trend in which central banks are lowering rates.
The RBA would prefer to lower rates, which are at a 12-year high and are squeezing businesses and households. The problem remains stubborn inflation, which moved the wrong way in the second quarter, rising from 3.6% to 3.8%. This is well above the RBA’s upper band of its target range of between 1 and 3% and it won’t be a surprise if policy makers again debate raising rates at tomorrow’s meeting before keeping rates on hold.
With the RBA expected to stay pat, the markets will be focusing on the rate statement and Governor Bullock’s press conference. The message from the RBA is expected to be along the lines that inflation remains too high and it’s premature to cut interest rates.
The Federal Reserve is aiming for a soft landing for the US economy, but concerns are rising that the economy could tip into recession. US nonfarm payrolls for July slowed to 114 thousand on Friday, much lower than the revised 179 thousand in June and the market estimate of 175 thousand.
The labour market has cooled much more quickly than expected, and there have been calls for an emergency unscheduled rate cut. The Fed would prefer not to make such a move, which could panic the markets, but the next meeting on September 18th is looking far away. Can the Fed afford to wait until then to deliver a rate cut?
AUD/USD pushed through 0.6471 and is testing support at 0.6432
There is resistance at 0.6520 and 0.6559
EURAUD Simple Trade Plans IntradayThe EURAUD has reversed its near term upwards trajectory upon AUD news last night (employment up).
More employment means strength for the AUD as it typically does not help inflation lower. Having that said, we are nearing intraday setups between falls.
Longs preferred lower @.618 on displayed chart, coinciding with higher timeframe areas.
AUD/USD shrugs as Australian retail sales jumpThe Australian dollar is drifting on Wednesday. AUD/USD is trading at 0.6674 at the time of writing, up 0.11%on the day.
Australian consumers have been counting their pennies and reducing discretionary spending. Consumers are feeling the double squeeze of high borrowing costs and stubborn inflation, but retail sales pulled a surprise today with a gain of 0.6% m/m in May. This follows a meager gain of 0.1% in April and crushed the market estimate of 0.2%.
This marked the sharpest gain since January, but does not mean that Australian consumers have suddenly switched to a spendthrift mindset. Rather, the jump in retail sales was the result of many retailers involving large discounts and sales events. The monthly May release was strong but there is an underlying weakness in consumer spending, as retail sales climbed just 1.7% y/y in May, compared to over 4% in early 2023. This means that the retail market remains weak despite today’s upbeat report.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has stressed that rate hikes are on the table, as stubbornly high inflation has raised concerns that monetary policy may have to be tightened. The RBA discussed the possibility of a rate hike at each of the past two meetings and today’s strong retail sales could strengthen the case for a hike, although policy makers won’t make a rate decision based on one release.
The RBA meets next on August 6 and the second-quarter CPI report, which will be released a week before will play a key role in the decision. The markets have priced in a 32% chance of a quarter-point at the August meeting, according to the ASX rate tracker. This would bring the cash rate to 4.6% and would mark the first rate hike since last November.
There is resistance at 0.6699 and 0.6729
0.6660 is a weak support level. The next support level is 0.6630
Aussie Shows Bullish Pattern After Hot CPI DataAussie is still sideways against the US dollar, trapped in a range for more than a month. However, the price is now moving towards the upper side of this pattern after hot Australina CPI (4%) this week, so RBA shoudl stay hakiwhs, suggesting a greater chance for a break out of a bullish triangle rather than a bearish trend. If analysis is correct, we are currently in a subwave "e", meaning there could still be some intraday weakness down to the 0.6630 to 0.6640 potential support levels. These would then be the final piece of this bullish structure, which should eventually take the price higher.
However, only if the price closes above 0.6700 , the triangle will be seen as completed, and we should expect a straight move higher, possibly even to the 0.6780 area.
Grega
AUD/USD Upside Bias Supported by Hot AU InflationAustralian inflation accelerated 4% y/y in May, according to Wednesday’s data, marking the fastest pace in six months. The Reserve Bank of Australia was already worried around price pressures and had once again discussed raising rates during this month’s hold, while keeping the door open to further tightening. Yesterday’s hot CPI report likely aggravated these concerns and strengthens the case for a rate hike, while diminishing chances for a shift to a less restrictive chance this year.
AUD/USD erased its gains yesterday after the initial jump, but remains constructive and the monetary policy differential supports further upside. The US Fed is reluctant to pivot, but still sees a rate cut this year, while markets are more aggressive and price in two moves.
The technicals are also favorable, since the Aussie has defended the 38.2% Fibonacci of the last leg up and trades above the EMA200 (black line). This provide a solid basis for higher highs (0.6714) that would bring the 2024 peak in the spotlight (0.6839), although bulls don’t inspire yet confidence for challenging it.
On the other hand, the bar is high for further tightening by the RBA, while the weak Australian economy creates pressure for an easier monetary stance. The Fed meanwhile expects just one cut this year, due to the disinflation slowdown, which supports the greenback.
As such, the there is scope for renewed pressure towards the pivotal 38.2% Fibonacci and the daily Ichimoku Cloud, but sustained weakness below it is not easy given the favorable monetary policy differential.
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Australian dollar edges lower, CPI nextThe Australian dollar is slightly lower on Tuesday. AUD/USD is trading at 0.6638 in the North American session, down 0.27% on the day.
Australia’s Westpac Consumer Sentiment index flexed some muscle earlier on Tuesday but that didn’t help the Australian dollar. The index jumped 1.7% in June, a strong turnaround after three straight declines. Despite the improvement, consumer confidence remains deep in negative territory, at 83.6. The index has been mired below 100 for over two years as pessimistic continue to outnumber optimists by a wide margin.
Consumers have long been concerned that the Reserve Bank of Australia could raise interest rates, which at 4.35% are already at a 12-year high. The RBA remains concerned about sticky inflation and has warned that it could raise rates if inflationary pressures don’t ease. Inflation rose in April from 3.5% to 3.6% and May CPI, which will be released on Wednesday, is expected to rise to 3.8%.
If inflation did accelerate in May, it could set up another hold in rates and possibly a rate hike when the RBA meets in July. The RBA left interest rates at 4.35% at the June meeting for a seventh straight time and discussed the possibility of a rate hike at that meeting.
Inflation will be on center stage again on Thursday with the release of the Melbourne Institute Inflation Expectations, which is expected to rise to 4.3% in June, after a 4.1% gain in May.
In the US, Conference Board Consumer Confidence dipped to 100.4 in June, down from the revised 101.3 in May and just above the market estimate of 100.0, which separates pessimism from optimism.
AUD/USD is testing support at 0.6635. Below, there is support at 0.6591
0.6685 and 0.6729 are the next resistance lines