|

AUD/USD struggling after losing 0.7200

  • Bearish action keeps the AUD/USD pinned to the downside amidst a thin data showing.
  • Broader markets have turned Dollar-positive, forcing down risk assets.

The AUD/USD is swamped in at new near-term lows at 0.7175 as the US Dollar sees broad-market resurgence on renewed risk aversion, and the Aussie's recent bid-up is facing challenges once again.

Aussie traders were able to pick the AUD up off the floor near the 0.700 major handle at the beginning of this month, aided by receding buying interest in the Greenback, but USD-bidding is back in fashion this week, and the Aussie is slipping from a near-term swing high into the 0.7300 level.

The National Australia Bank's Business Confidence and Conditions indicators came in at 4 and 12 respectively, compared to the previous reading for both indicators of 6 and 15, and economic data for the Australian continent continues to miss expectations more often than not, and growth projections continue to remain cautious for the domestic Aussie economy, with lopsided growth and unease over future trading conditions amidst ongoing US-China trade tensions.

The AUD/USD will be seeing a flash of meaningful data on Thursday, with the latest Aussie employment rate and participation figures, and markets will be expecting a good-but-not-great turnout.

AUD/USD levels to watch

Downside potential for the Aussie-Dollar is growing, according to FXStreet's own Valeria Bednarik: "in the 4 hours chart, the 20 SMA gains downward strength well above the current level, while technical indicators maintain their strong bearish slopes, the Momentum at daily lows and the RSI at around 37, all of which leans the risk toward the downside. A strong static support comes at 0.7170, with a break below the level exposing the 0.7100 level. Above the mentioned 0.7220 level, on the other hand, the pair could retest the 0.7250 static resistance level, albeit there are no technical signs to support such recovery at the moment.  

Support levels: 0.7170 0.7130 0.7100    

Resistance levels: 0.7220 0.7250 0.7290

Author

Joshua Gibson

Joshua joins the FXStreet team as an Economics and Finance double major from Vancouver Island University with twelve years' experience as an independent trader focusing on technical analysis.

More from Joshua Gibson
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD weakens as US jobs data trims Fed rate cut bets

The EUR/USD pair trades in negative territory for the third consecutive day near 1.1860 during the early European session on Thursday. Traders will keep an eye on the US weekly Initial Jobless Claims data. On Friday, the attention will shift to the US Consumer Price Index inflation report. 

GBP/USD bullish outlook prevails above 1.3600, UK GDP data looms

The GBP/USD pair gains ground near 1.3635, snapping the two-day losing streak during the early European session on Thursday. The preliminary reading of UK Gross Domestic Product for the fourth quarter will be closely watched later on Thursday. The UK economy is estimated to grow 0.2% QoQ in Q4, versus 0.1% in Q1. 

Gold remains on the defensive below two-week top; lacks bearish conviction amid mixed cues

Gold sticks to modest intraday losses through the Asian session on Thursday, though it lacks follow-through selling and remains close to a nearly two-week high, touched the previous day. The commodity currently trades above the $5,070 level, down just over 0.20% for the day, amid mixed cues.

UK GDP set to post weak growth as markets rise bets on March rate cut

Markets will be watching closely on Thursday, when the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics will release the advance estimate of Q4 Gross Domestic Product. If the data land in line with consensus, the UK economy would have continued to grow at an annualised pace of 1.2%, compared with 1.3% recorded the previous year. 

The market trades the path not the past

The payroll number did not just beat. It reset the tone. 130,000 vs. 65,000 expected, with a 35,000 whisper. 79 of 80 economists leaning the wrong way. Unemployment and underemployment are edging lower. For all the statistical fog around birth-death adjustments and seasonal quirks, the core message was unmistakable. The labour market is not cracking.

Sonic Labs’ vertical integration fuels recovery in S token

Sonic, previously Fantom (FTM), is extending its recovery trade at $0.048 at the time of writing, after rebounding by over 12% the previous day. The recovery thesis’ strengths lie in the optimism surrounding Sonic Labs’ Wednesday announcement to shift to a vertically integrated model, aimed at boosting S token utility.