The much anticipated Bernanke testimony before the Senate Banking Committee took centre stage overnight, and once again market participants walked away suitably disappointed. While reiterating the Fed’s ability to provide further supportive measures, Bernanke stopped short of signalling such measures are on the fed’s near-term agenda. Risk currencies made way for a solid rebound from the greenback after failing to receive the explicit indication the Fed would soon embark on another round of quantitative easing. Nevertheless, risk related assets soon made a comeback as markets found solace in better-than-expected corporate earnings from heavy weights Coca Cola and Goldman Sachs. At the height of the selling, the Euro remain under strong pressure against its major counterparts with the EURAUD pair moving to fresh euro-era lows of A$1.1892 and fresh 3.5 year lows against sterling. After declining deep into the 102-handle after Bernanke’s testimony, the Aussie dollar made an impressive comeback alongside sentiment barometers such as U.S stocks.
The Australian dollar initially founds its legs after the release of the RBA policy meeting minutes with price action breaking 103 US cents for the first time in two-weeks. While acknowledging ongoing risks and potential further deterioration from the Euro-region and United States, the minutes provide a slightly hawkish lean than anticipated with members noting signs the domestic economy has improved, while “growth in domestic activity in China may not be slowing much further.” In essence, with the impact of previous reductions of the cash rate yet to fully infiltrate the economy, relative stability both locally and abroad has now provided the RBA the time to further assess forthcoming data points, with the next primary risk event likely to be local consumer price data next week.
To recap events earlier in the session, the rate of inflation in the UK slid to a 31-month low of 2.4 percent in June short of expectations and previous growth of 2.8 percent. Core inflation with excludes the volatility food and energy components rose 2.1 percent from the previous year. The retail focus prices gauge also reflected a softer rate of inflation falling to 2.8 percent on year from a previous 3.1 percent. With inflation significantly lower from its peak of 5.2 percent in late 2011, the latest print adds credence to the Bank of England’s recent decision to step-up asset purchases by £50 billion, bringing the total value to £375 billion. The Bank of England’s target for inflation is 2 percent.
Economic releases this morning include the Westpac leading Index, Chinese Property Prices and Tool Orders from Japan later in the session. At the time of writing the Australian dollar is buying 103.1 US cents.
For more market commentary visit www.gomarketsaus.com
The Australian dollar initially founds its legs after the release of the RBA policy meeting minutes with price action breaking 103 US cents for the first time in two-weeks. While acknowledging ongoing risks and potential further deterioration from the Euro-region and United States, the minutes provide a slightly hawkish lean than anticipated with members noting signs the domestic economy has improved, while “growth in domestic activity in China may not be slowing much further.” In essence, with the impact of previous reductions of the cash rate yet to fully infiltrate the economy, relative stability both locally and abroad has now provided the RBA the time to further assess forthcoming data points, with the next primary risk event likely to be local consumer price data next week.
To recap events earlier in the session, the rate of inflation in the UK slid to a 31-month low of 2.4 percent in June short of expectations and previous growth of 2.8 percent. Core inflation with excludes the volatility food and energy components rose 2.1 percent from the previous year. The retail focus prices gauge also reflected a softer rate of inflation falling to 2.8 percent on year from a previous 3.1 percent. With inflation significantly lower from its peak of 5.2 percent in late 2011, the latest print adds credence to the Bank of England’s recent decision to step-up asset purchases by £50 billion, bringing the total value to £375 billion. The Bank of England’s target for inflation is 2 percent.
Economic releases this morning include the Westpac leading Index, Chinese Property Prices and Tool Orders from Japan later in the session. At the time of writing the Australian dollar is buying 103.1 US cents.
For more market commentary visit www.gomarketsaus.com
