RBA to cut cash rate by 25bps in August and November this year - Westpac

Dhwani Mehta FXStreet

The Westpac analysts have made revisions to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cash rate forecasts for the first time in couple of years, now calling for a 25 bps rate cut each in August and November this year from the rates on hold stance.

Key Quotes:

“WPAC have revised GDP growth forecasts for 2019 and 2020 from 2.6% to 2.2%.

With slower growth profile now expect to see the unemployment rate to 5.5% by late 2019.

That makes a strong case for official rate cuts to cushion the downturn and, in turn, meet the RBA's medium term objectives.”

Author

Dhwani Mehta

FXStreet

Residing in Mumbai (India), Dhwani is a Senior Analyst and Manager of the Asian session at FXStreet. She has over 10 years of experience in analyzing and covering the global financial markets, with specialization in Forex and commodities markets.

AUD/USD holds firm near 0.7000 after Chinese inflation, trade data

AUD/USD stays firm near 0.7000 in Wednesday’s Asian session, picking up some bids after China's mixed inflation and upbeat trade data. CPI rose less than expected in September, while PPI inflation picked up. Meanwhile, the Chinese trade surplus unexpectedly widened in September. The pair remains underpinned by a broadly subdued US Dollar, despite the Middle East escalation, as focus remains on US CPI data.

USD/JPY consolidates near 158.50; looks to US CPI for fresh impetus

USD/JPY stays range-bound near 158.50 in the Asian session on Wednesday, with looming intervention risks supporting the Japanese Yen and capping upside amid a softer US Dollar. However, geopolitical uncertainties act as a tailwind for the safe-haven USD and the pair. Traders also seem hesitant ahead of the release of the latest US inflation figures.

Gold remains offered below $4,100

Gold adds to the weekly bearish tone and slips back below the $4,100 mark per troy ounce on Wednesday. Indeed, the precious metal continues to suffer the stronger US Dollar and rising US Treasury yields as bets for extra tightening by the Fed remain on the rise following US inflation figures.

XRP recovery faces headwinds despite Ripple and Meritz Securities' tokenization push in Korea

XRP trades above $1.36 as bulls gather momentum to face a critical supply range toward $1.40. Ripple and Meritz Securities partner to explore institutional custody and tokenization services for South Korea’s capital markets.

China's rare earth leverage has an expiration date: November 10. Here's what Beijing is deciding

China is approaching a major strategic deadline in its trade confrontation with the United States (US). On November 10, the suspension of additional rare earth export restrictions Beijing announced in October 2025 is set to expire.

Has Bitcoin really escaped the macro forces it was built to fight?

Over 17 years ago, Satoshi Nakamoto designed Bitcoin (BTC) on the back of a global financial crisis as an alternative to the global monetary system outside the control of central banks, governments and traditional intermediaries. This raises a key question: has Bitcoin really become independent of the macroeconomic forces it was built to challenge?