|

Australian Dollar extends gains as US Dollar weakens, focus on US Core PCE

  • Australian Dollar recovers from the 10-month low after upbeat Private Sector Credit report.
  • Australia’s monthly Private Sector Credit rose 0.4% compared to the expected 0.3%.
  • US Dollar weakens due to the pullback in US Treasury yields.

The Australian Dollar (AUD) extends its gains on the second successive day on Friday. The AUD/USD pair recovers from recent losses, primarily supported by a correction in the US Dollar (USD) due to a pullback in US Treasury yields in the previous session. Additionally, the Aussie pair gets minor support from the Australian upbeat Private Sector Credit (MoM) data.

Australia’s Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday revealed Retail Sales rose in August on a monthly basis below the market consensus. The soft consumer spending data in August might convince the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to keep the interest rate unchanged next week.

However, Australia's monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) improved from July's reading, which could be attributed to the increasing energy prices. The rise in inflation could increase the likelihood of another interest rate hike.

The US Dollar Index (DXY) snapped a winning streak after the moderate datasets from the United States (US). Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remained consistent as expected. Initial Jobless Claims for unemployment benefits printed a lower reading than the market consensus. Moreover, US Treasury yields extend losses, which could undermine the strength of the US Dollar (USD).

The US Dollar (USD) saw a strong rally over the week, buoyed by robust economic indicators, and it climbed to its highest levels since December. Furthermore, the USD's resilience could be linked to the favorable performance of US Treasury yields. 

Daily Digest Market Movers: Australian Dollar retraces recent losses due to a pullback in the US Dollar

  • AUD/USD extends gains for the second consecutive day, trading around 0.6480 at the time of writing on Friday.
  • Australian Private Sector Credit (MoM) for August rose 0.4%, exceeding the market consensus to remain consistent at 0.3%. While the yearly readings reduced to 5.1% from the previous reading of 5.3%. 
  • The Aussie Dollar could further face challenges due to increased risk aversion sentiment in the market due to the central banks' interest rates trajectory.
  • Australian Retail Sales for August, fell to 0.2% from the previous rate of 0.5%. The index was expected to grow at a 0.3% rate.
  • Australia’s Monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) year-over-year for August rose 5.2% as expected, up from the previous rate of 4.9%.
  • USD weakens due to the pullback in US Treasury yields. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note has reached record highs.
  • US GDP remained consistent at 2.1% as expected. Initial Jobless Claims for the week ending on September 22, improved to 204K from the 202K prior, falling short of the 215K expected.
  • US Pending Home Sales showed a decline of 7.1%, exceeding the market expectation of a 0.8% fall, swinging from the 0.9% rise previously.
  • Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee expressed confidence that the Fed will bring inflation back to its target. Goolsbee also highlighted the rare opportunity to achieve this without a recession, indicating the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) commitment to managing inflation while sustaining economic growth.
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Thomas Barkin acknowledged that recent inflation data has been positive but emphasized that it's premature to determine the future course of monetary policy. Barkin also noted that the data lost during a government shutdown could complicate the understanding of the economy.
  • Traders await the US data such as the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Price Index, the Fed's preferred measure of consumer inflation, which is due on Friday. The annual rate is expected to reduce from 4.2% to 3.9%.

Technical Analysis: Australian Dollar looks to reach 0.6500 psychological level

Australian Dollar trades higher around 0.6480 aligned with the 0.6500 psychological level on Friday. A firm break above the latter could support the Aussie Dollar (AUD) to explore the region around 38.2% Fibonacci retracement at 0.6549 lined up with the 0.6550 psychological level. On the downside, the fresh monthly low at 0.6331, followed by the 0.6300 psychological level could act as the key support.

AUD/USD: Daily Chart

Australian Dollar price today

The table below shows the percentage change of Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. Australian Dollar was the strongest against the .

 USDEURGBPCADAUDJPYNZDCHF
USD -0.42%-0.31%-0.35%-0.83%-0.39%-1.09%-0.56%
EUR0.42% 0.12%0.09%-0.42%0.03%-0.70%-0.14%
GBP0.32%-0.11% -0.03%-0.51%-0.08%-0.78%-0.29%
CAD0.33%-0.11%0.03% -0.49%-0.05%-0.78%-0.22%
AUD0.82%0.39%0.51%0.48% 0.44%-0.27%0.26%
JPY0.37%-0.07%0.09%0.03%-0.45% -0.74%-0.18%
NZD1.08%0.70%0.77%0.74%0.27%0.73% 0.52%
CHF0.57%0.14%0.25%0.23%-0.25%0.17%-0.51% 

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).

Author

Akhtar Faruqui

Akhtar Faruqui is a Forex Analyst based in New Delhi, India. With a keen eye for market trends and a passion for dissecting complex financial dynamics, he is dedicated to delivering accurate and insightful Forex news and analysis.

More from Akhtar Faruqui
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD languishes near two-month low amid renewed Iran tensions

AUD/USD holds above 0.7000 during the Asian session on Wednesday, though it remains close to a nearly two-month low set the previous day. Fresh US strikes on Iran temper hopes for a peace deal and benefit the safe-haven US Dollar. Furthermore, inflationary concerns continue to fuel hawkish Fed expectations, lending additional support to the buck ahead of the US CPI report. Adding to this, reduced bets on an RBA rate hike in June cap the currency pair.


USD/JPY sits near 160.50 intervention zone as bulls shrug off Japan's strong PPI

USD/JPY consolidates just below mid-160.00s, or its highest level since late April, as economic concerns stemming from the Middle East conflict continue to undermine the Japanese Yen (JPY). Furthermore, a fresh wave of US strikes on Iran benefits the safe-haven US Dollar and acts as a tailwind for the currency pair, countering Japan's hotter-than-expected PPI report. However, intervention fears cap the upside as traders seem hesitant ahead of the US consumer inflation figures later this Wednesday.

Gold flirts with $4,200, lowest since March 23 on hawkish Fed bets

Gold drops to a fresh low since March 23, around the $4,200 mark during the Asian session on Wednesday, as fresh US strikes on Iran fuel inflationary concerns and bolster bets for more hawkish central banks, including the US Fed. Meanwhile, US Dollar bulls are turning cautious ahead of the US CPI report, which could limit bullion losses. However, the recent breakdown below the 200-day SMA suggests that the path of least resistance for the XAU/USD is to the downside.

Bitcoin sell-off pushes over 50% of circulating supply into loss, hinting at market bottom

Bitcoin dropped near $61,000 on Tuesday, with the latest sell-off pushing long-term market indicators toward levels historically associated with bear-market bottoms, according to a report by K33 Research.

When the chips are down, the AI tape starts to shake

The market came into Tuesday trying to sell investors the comforting ”Turnaround Tuesday” idea that Friday’s AI fracture was just another pothole on the road higher. By the close, that story had lost its bid. Monday’s dead cat bounce had done what dead cat bounces always do.

The US economy defies the rules: 100 days into the Oil shock and the recession signal is still missing

More than three months after the start of the Iran war and the resulting disruption to global energy markets, the US economy continues to display remarkable resilience. The conflict has triggered a sharp rise in Oil prices, reignited inflationary pressures and fueled widespread concerns about a potential economic slowdown.