Australian Dollar takes an NFP tumble
|After a miserable end to the week, the Aussie is steady on Monday and is trading at 0.6912.
The January US nonfarm payrolls was a blowout that shocked the markets. The economy created a stunning 517,000 new jobs, crushing the estimate of 185,000 and well above the previous read of 260,000. The unemployment rate fell from 3.5% to 3.4%, its lowest rate since 1969. There was more positive news as the ISM Services PMI climbed back into expansion territory with a reading of 55.2, up from 49.2 and above the forecast of 50.4 points.
The US dollar surged against most of the major currencies after the employment report, while equity markets were down. The Australian dollar plunged by 2.2% on Friday. There had been speculation that the Fed might deliver a “one and done” rate hike in March which would end the current rate-hike cycle, but the job report has poured cold water on those hopes. The labour market is running much too hot for the Fed’s liking and wage growth remains an important driver of inflation. Fed member Mary Daly called the employment release a “wow number” and said that the Fed’s December forecast of a peak rate of 5.1% was a “good indicator” of Fed policy.
RBA expected to raise rates
The RBA will be in the spotlight on Tuesday with its monthly rate announcement. The central bank is expected to raise rates by 25 basis points, which would bring rates to 3.35%, a 10-year high. This would mark a fourth straight hike of 25 bp, as the RBA continues to fight inflation with steady but modest rate hikes. There are signs that rising interest rates are starting to bite the economy, with today’s retail sales release of -3.9% the latest reminder. The cash rate is projected to peak around 3.6%, although it could rise further if inflation remains stickier than expected. The employment market remains robust, allowing the central bank to continue raising rates as it sees fit.
AUD/USD technical
-
AUD/USD faces resistance at 0.6962 and the round number of 0.7000.
-
0.6841 and 0.6761 are providing support.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers.