Australian Dollar holds losses following China’s CPI inflation data

AUD/USD weakened as the US Dollar strengthened amid rising market risk aversion.
China’s CPI rose 1.2% YoY in April, above March’s 1.0% increase and the 0.8% forecast.
US Nonfarm Payrolls rose by 115K in April, beating forecasts despite slowing from March’s 185K increase.

Akhtar Faruqui FXStreet

AUD/USD gains ground after opening at a bearish gap but still remains in the negative territory, trading around 0.7240 during the Asian hours on Monday. The pair moves little despite stronger-than-expected China’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. Any change in the Chinese economy could impact the Australian Dollar (AUD) as China and Australia are close trading partners.

China’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.2% YoY in April, accelerating from March’s 1.0% increase and beating the 0.8% forecast. CPI inflation arrived at 0.3% MoM in April, versus a fall of 0.7% prior, hotter than the expectation of a 0.1% decline. Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 2.8% YoY in April, following a 0.5% increase in March. The data came in above the market consensus of a 1.5% rise.

The AUD/USD pair came under pressure as the US Dollar (USD) strengthened amid growing risk aversion after US President Donald Trump and Iran dismissed each other’s latest peace initiatives aimed at ending the Middle East conflict.

According to Bloomberg on Sunday, Trump turned down Iran’s latest peace proposal, describing it as “totally unacceptable.” Iranian state television reported that an Iranian official said Tehran’s response emphasized ending the conflict across all fronts, particularly in Lebanon, while also addressing the security of shipping routes through the strait, though no details were provided regarding how or when the key waterway could reopen.

An extended Middle East conflict and the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran may continue to support safe-haven demand for the Greenback, potentially weighing on the major currency pair in the near term.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released data on Friday indicating that Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) increased by 115K in April, down from March’s 185K reading but still exceeding the market forecast of 62K. At the same time, the Unemployment Rate remained unchanged at 4.3% in April, matching analysts’ expectations.

Australian Dollar FAQs

What key factors drive the Australian Dollar?

One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD.

How do the decisions of the Reserve Bank of Australia impact the Australian Dollar?

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive.

How does the health of the Chinese Economy impact the Australian Dollar?

China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs.

How does the price of Iron Ore impact the Australian Dollar?

Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD.

How does the Trade Balance impact the Australian Dollar?

The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.

Author

Akhtar Faruqui

FXStreet

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.

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