Aussie dollar continues to remain under pressure

Australian Dollar:

After a significant change in wording to the US Federal Reserve’s statement early Thursday morning the Aussie was struggling to hold its ground against the Greenback. The AUD fell to 0.8118 and did not recover too well, spending Asian trade hovering around the daily lows. The RBA bulletin did not have too much of an impact as it appeared investors were waiting on US data for direction once more. The numbers were mixed and the Aussie remained steady opening this morning marginally higher than Thursday at 0.8147. As we head into the weekend there is no data being released locally and in the US with onlookers anticipating a quiet end to a tough week for the AUD.

• We expect a range today of 0.8115 – 0.8195

New Zealand Dollar:

The New Zealand dollar came off a night session of robust Greenback strength and began Thursday waiting on GDP data to try and revitalise the higher yielding currency. GDP numbers showed a 1 per cent increase which beat out the forecast marginally, however the Kiwi’s rally was short lived as US dollar strength continued seeing the NZD further sold off. As Asian trade continued the New Zealand dollar continued to slide reaching lows of 0.7682 and as overnight US figures were announced the Kiwi recovered on mixed sentiment to open this morning stronger at 0.7735. With no more US numbers to be announced this week local ANZ business confidence will provide direction for the struggling NZ dollar.

• We expect a range today of 0.7705 – 0.7785

Great British Pound:

The British Pound was one of the better performing currencies overnight gaining nearly a cent against the recently strong Greenback. Cable moved to highs of 1.5680 before opening this morning at 1.5653. The shift upwards was underpinned by impressive UK retail sales numbers showing a 1.6 per cent increase beating out an anticipated projection for a smaller rise of 0.3 per cent. The Sterling gained in a similar fashion against the higher yielding AUD(1.9206) and NZD(2.0221). Heading into the weekend there is limited offshore data however locally investors will look to Public sector net borrowing and CBI realised sales for guidance.

• We expect a range today of 1.9165 – 1.9245

Majors:

The Euro continued to slide against the Greenback on Thursday marred by unimpressive local numbers and mixed US data that was taken by investors in a positive light. German Ifo Business climate missed the mark slightly however the major move lower came after the US unemployment claims were released. 289,000 individuals were shown to be claiming unemployment down from 295,000 previously and a forecast of 297,000. Although the Philly Fed Manufacturing was weaker than expected the US Federal Reserve has been quite specific on the importance of the improvement on the labour market. This morning the EUR/USD cross opens lower at 1.2272 and with no US data being announced heading into the weekend the focus will turn to European numbers for direction.

Data releases: 

• AUD: No Data
• NZD: Visitor Arrivals m/m, ANZ Business Confidence, Credit Card Spending y/y
• JPY: Monetary Policy Statement, All Industries Activity m/m, BOJ Press Conference
• GBP: GfK Consumer Confidence, Public Sector Net Borrowing, CBI Realized Sales
• EUR: GfK Consumer Confidence, German PPI m/m, Current Account, EU Economic Summit
• USD: No Data