Aussie starts week higher, RBA decision nextThe Australian dollar is in positive territory on Monday. In the European session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.7733, up 0.32% on the day.
The week started out on a sour note, as inflation fell in May. The Melbourne Institute (MI) Inflation Gauge, a monthly release, fell 0.2% in May, marking its first decline in seven months.
With major economies showing stronger growth in the post-Covid era, central bank officials are keeping a close eye on inflation, as higher inflation could prod the central banks to tighten policy sooner rather than later. The MI release is just one reading, but if upcoming inflation data shows that inflation is not moving higher, then the RBA will not be under pressure to scale back its QE program. A taper by the RBA (or even a hint of a taper) would be bullish for the Australian dollar.
The RBA holds its monthly policy meeting on Tuesday (1:30 GMT). The bank is expected to maintain policy settings and keep interest rates at a record low of 0.10%. The economy is performing well, but the recent outbreak of Covid in Melbourne and subsequent lockdown is a reminder that Covid has not yet been defeated.
At the same time, economies are reopening as Covid recedes, and some central banks have become more hawkish in response. The Bank of Canada recently tapered its QE programme, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand surprised the markets last week when it signalled the potential of a rate hike in the second half of 2022.
The RBA has remained in dovish mode, stating that it has no plans to raise rates prior to 2024. Still, the RBA acknowledged the strong Australian recovery in its quarterly update earlier in May, and if the economic data continues to point upward, the bank may have to change its timeline for a rate change. Meanwhile, the bank's commitment to remain dovish has kept the Aussie from rising.
AUD/USD is putting pressure on resistance at 0.7777. Above, there is resistance at 0.7846. On the downside, there are support levels at 0.7658 and 0.7608
RBA
Aussie slides on soft consumer confidenceThe Australian dollar has reversed directions on Wednesday and recorded considerable losses. In the European session, AUD/USD is trading at 0.7750, down 0.52% on the day.
Investors gave the Aussie a thumbs down on Wednesday after Westpac Consumer Sentiment fell 4.8% in May. The trend of improving consumer confidence over the past three months was broken. Still, a review of the Westpac report shows a "glass half full" approach, as the report notes that the index dropped from 118.8 to 113.1, its second-highest print since April 2010.
The RBA will hold a policy meeting on June 1, and the central bank will announce its plans for Yield Curve Control (YCC) and QE. The Westpac report says that the bank remains committed to monetary stimulus and this means that QE will be extended for a further A$100 billion in September, and YCC policy will shift from April 2024 to November 2o24. The bank has repeatedly said that it has no plans to tighten policy prior to 2024.
The market will be treated to a dump of Australian data on Thursday. Consumer Inflation Expectations is first up (1:00 GMT), with a consensus of 3.6%, up from 3.2%. This indicator is closely watched as inflation expectations can translate into actual inflation, so a strong gain would be a signal that inflationary pressures are growing.
The highlight will be Employment Change (1:30 GMT), with a small gain of 15.0 thousand expected, down from 70.7 thousand. Australia also releases Manufacturing and Services PMIs (23:00 PMI). Both sectors are in good shape, a testament to the strong Australian economy. Manufacturing PMI is projected at 59.8 and Services at 58.9, which are well into expansionary territory. The 50-level separates contraction from expansion.
AUD/USD faces resistance at 0.7887 and 0.7990. On the downside, there are support levels at 0.7684 and 0.7584.
AUDUSD: Weekly ForecastThe Aussie will be highly watched this week as RBA releases its monetary policy as well as employment data.
AUDUSD was somewhat bearish last week as it fell but found support and recovered half of the loss.
The rebound came from multiple technical support such as the bottom of a rising channel as well as moving averages.
Otherwise, AUDUSD is technically a bullish pair for more than a year now and climbing very much like the US stock indices.
That's mostly contributed by rising inflation which causes commodity prices to go up and Aussie, as most should already know, is a commodity currency.
While we can continue to look for buying opportunities near the support, the upside is limited as the market is about to reach the equilibrium level slightly above 0.80.
Price of interest:
Resistance: 0.7890, 0.8080 (equilibrium)
Support: 0.7730 (bottom of channel), 0.7690 (equilibrium)
AUD - FUNDAMENTAL DRIVERSFUNDAMENTAL BIAS: BULLISH
1. Developments surrounding the global risk outlook.
As a high-beta currency, AUD has benefited from the market's improving risk outlook over recent months as participants moved out of safe-havens and into riskier, higher-yielding assets. Also, as a pro-cyclical currency, the AUD enjoyed upside alongside other cyclical assets after moving into an early post-recession recovery phase with expectations of global synchronized recovery. Even though the risks remain surrounding the virus and thus global economic outlook, the success of the global vaccination roll out should prove supportive for the AUD.
2. The Monetary Policy outlook for the RBA
The RBA continues to rule out NIRP, and with the Cash Rate at a record low of 0.10%, further reductions appear unlikely. Further easing remains a possibility through QE and the bank has stressed its commitment to purchase as many bonds as necessary to reach and maintain their 3-year yield curve control target of 0.10%. The possibility of macroprudential policies to try and curb a very hot housing market is a possible risk.
3. The country’s economic and health developments
Australia’s successful handling of the pandemic is one of the reasons why the economy was able to see a stronger economic recovery than initially expected. On the economic front, China’s recovery remains robust, and as Australia’s biggest export destination (39.1% of total exports) their demand for Australian commodities has seen a surge in commodity prices, especially Iron (Australia’s biggest commodity export). If the virus remains under control, and China’s recovery and demand for commodities remains strong the outlook for the domestic economy remains positive.
AUDCAD Possible Short SetupAUDCAD is resting in the previous support zone of 0.9518-0.9536. After breaking quickly through this zone by slightly over 60 pips, price slowly made its way back.
The 4H chart shows a downward bias as the 20, 50, and 200 period MAs are crossing down. Furthermore, price is resting right at 20 period MA, a great place for a potential reversal downward.
I was hoping for a super clean retest here where price bounces off the 50 period or 200 period MA right at my retest zone. However, it doesn't look like we're getting that. As such, I will be taking this trade with a 1% risk instead of my normal 2%.
I will personally wait to enter this trade until I see a clear bearish reversal pattern on the 1H chart or some lower lows and lower highs on the 15m.
Furthermore, the RBA will be releasing their Rate Statement and Chast Rate tonight at 12:30am Eastern. That makes this a risky entry. However, it is epxected that the cash rate will remain the same through 2023 or so. They may make some changes to QE and curve control, among other things. Ideally, we can get a clean entry before the RBA data is released.
Patience is the name of the game, so I will be watching this pair for a solid entry.
USD leads FX majors while AUD trades mixed following RBAHeading into today's european trading session, the risk tone is leaning risk-on with asia pacific indices positive, yields firmer, measures of volatility subdued and safe-havens weaker.
In the FX complex,the positive risk tone sees CHF fall to the bottom of the pack, with JPY also pressured across the board. Consequently, EURCHF has reclaimed the 1.1000 handle as USDCHF looks for a test of yestrday's high.
Indeed, USD remains well supported across the board, leading the FX majors to the upside with DXY trading back above the 91.00 handle and looking to pare all of yesterday's weakness. Commenting on USD, Reuters noted: "The dollar drifted higher in the Asia session on Tuesday, pausing a monthlong decline as investors weigh whether a roaring U.S. economic recovery may force interest rates higher and are looking to upcoming economic data and policy speeches for clues."
Another currency of note is AUD following the RBA's May policy announcement. As expected, monetary policy remained unchanged with the cash rate and 3yr yield target at 0.10%. The response from analysts has been mixed, with the focus failing on sharp revisions higher to the central bank's economic forecasts, but still no policy tightening expected until at least 2024. Consequently, AUD trades mixed against its major peers.
Looking to the sessions ahead, the only data of note in today's european trading session will be the UK's manufacturing PMI report which is expected to be confirmed at a healthy 60.7.
Aussie steadies after slide, RBA nextThe Australian dollar is steady in the Monday session. In European trade, AUD/USD is trading at 0.7722, up 0.14%.
The US dollar showed some broad strength on Friday, and AUD/USD fell 0.70% and briefly fell below the 0.77 level. The greenback was supported by inflows from international investors who snapped up US Treasuries in month-end rebalancing flows.
Strong US numbers on Friday also gave the US dollar a boost. The Core PCE Price Index, which is considered the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, rose to 0.4% in March, up from 0.1% beforehand. This is another indication of inflationary pressures, as the US economy continues to sprint at a fast pace. The Fed has stated more than once that any spike in inflation will be temporary, but it's not at all clear that the market has bought into this stance. If inflation numbers continue to rise in the coming months, the Fed may have to acknowledge that higher inflation levels are not a passing event.
On Friday, Fed Governor Robert Kaplan, who is not a voting member, said straight out the Fed needs to be talking about tapering its asset-purchase program. The Fed has insisted that it needs to keep its foot to the pedal as the economy continues to recover, but there's a good chance that other Fed members agree with Kaplan. The US economy has been reeling off impressive numbers, and the April nonfarm payroll report is expected in at 975 thousand. A print above the one million mark is certainly achievable and would provide ammunition to the view that the Fed should review its current policy.
The RBA is facing a similar economic picture to that of the Fed - a rapidly improving economy and strong growth. Like the Fed, the RBA has implemented a highly accommodative policy in order to support the economy's recovery from the Covid pandemic.
The central bank holds its policy meeting on Tuesday (4:30 GMT), and the bank is expected to maintain interest rates at 0.10% and its QE programme of A$100 billion. Unless there is a surprise announcement, I would expect the RBA meeting to be a non-event for the Australian dollar.
On the upside, 0.7787 is the next resistance line. Above, there is resistance at 0.7864. On the downside, there are support levels at 0.7665 and 0.7620
The Reserve Bank of Australia keeps interest rates on holdThe Reserve Bank of Australia keeps interest rates on hold, at the historically low level of 0.1 percent, it was expected to last until at least 2024.
MM Analysis
1. Monetary Policy
- Keeps interest rates on hold, at 0.1 percent
- The initial $100 billion government bond purchase program is almost complete and the second $100 billion program will commence next week.
2. Economic forecast
- The rollout of vaccines is supporting the recovery of the global economy, although the recovery is uneven.
- The economic recovery in Australia is well under way and is stronger than had been expected.
- CPI inflation is expected to rise temporarily because of the reversal of some COVID-19-related price reductions but inflation is expected to remain below 2 per cent over the next few years.
3. Forward Guidance
- The Board will not increase the cash rate until actual inflation is sustainably within the 2 to 3 per cent target range, it does not expect these conditions to be met until 2024 at the earliest.
4. Conclusion
- The RBA statement meets the market expectation, although employment rate has returned to the pre Covid-19 level, when the salary subsidy policy expires, the employment market is still uncerntain. The Bank of Australia has once again stated that it will not raise interest rates before 2024. In conclusion, this statement maintains dovishness.
AUD - CENTRAL BANK ANALYSISObjective: The RBA's objectives are to contribute to (a) the stability of the currency; (b) themaintenance of full employment; and (c)the economic prosperity and welfare of the people of Australia. Stability is widely acknowledged through the RBA's inflation target of 2-3%.
As of Q4, inflation in Australia stands at 0.9%; while GDP for Q3 printed at -3.8% Y/Y and -3.3% Q/Q. For February, the Unemployment Rate fell to 5.8% from January's 6.4% with Employment Change printing at 88.7K with full-time employment printing at 89.1K.
Situation: At their March meeting, the RBA kept its Cash Rate and 3-year yield target at a record low of 0.10%. However, the central bank reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining highly supportive monetary conditions until its goals are reached and it will not increase the Cash Rate until inflation is sustainable at 2-3% target.
Additionally, the RBA stated it is prepared to make further adjustments to its bond buying program in response to market conditions and it does not expect a tight labour market and high wage growth until 2024 at the earliest.
Markets await RBA decisionThe Australian dollar has started the week with slight gains. Currently, the pair is trading at 0.7626, up 0.25% on the day.
Friday's Nonfarm payrolls was expected to be strong, and NFP delivered big, with a read of 916 thousand, up from 379 thousand a month earlier. This figure easily beat the forecast of 652 thousand. With the US recovery gaining traction and the Biden administration pouring trillions of dollars into the economy, we can expect upcoming NFP prints to be above the one million level. That is, if the vaccination rollout continues as planned. The US dollar didn't show much reaction to the blowout release, and AUD/USD was muted on Friday.
Overshadowed by the sparkling NFP report was a drop in the unemployment rate, which dropped from 6.2% to 6.0%, matching the forecast. Unemployment continues to fall and this was the lowest level since April 2020, prior the huge jump in unemployment due to the Covid pandemic.
The RBA holds its monthly policy meeting on Tuesday (4:30 GMT). The meeting is expected to be uneventful, with the central bank widely expected to maintain interest rate and interest rate and yield curve targets at 0.1%. The bank's QE programme of A$100 billion is set to expire but will be immediately renewed for a six-month period.
The RBA has been in dovish mode, stating that it expects to maintain its current stance until 2024, when inflation is projected to reach the bank's target of 2-3%. However, Australia's economy has been recovering rapidly and it's entirely possible that inflation could reach this target well before 2024, in which case we could see rate hikes ahead of the RBA's schedule.
AUD/USD faces resistance at 0.7675. Above, there is resistance at 0.7735 The first line of support is at 0.7543, followed by support at 0.7471.
GBPAUD towards 1,90? Buying dips...Hi,
higher yields are likely to have an impact on commodity currencies at some point.
If so, then in this pair, as long as we are above 1.75, we have a chance for an increase towards 1.90
Scaling the longs around 1.7750 and 1.75
Stop below 1.7440
Target 1.89
Good luck
AUD pauses after mini-rallyThe Australian dollar is showing little movement in the Wednesday session. Currently, the pair is trading at 0.7706, down 0.08% on the day.
Australia's economy has recovered from the Covid-induced downturn more quickly than expected. The country has contained Covid quite well, and global demand for Australian exports is growing. The impressive economic recovery has led to speculation that the RBA could raise interest rates next year or early 2023. The central bank has trimmed rates to a record low of 0.10% and has a QE program of A$200 billion currently in place.
RBA Governor Lowe sought to dampen speculation over a rate hike, saying that there would be no hikes before wage growth lifted inflation to the bank's target of 2-3%. Lowe said that this would require wage growth, currently at 1.4%, to climb above 3 per cent. In order for that to happen, unemployment would need to fall to 4%, down from the current 6.4%. Although the RBA could choose to raise rates even if these targets were not met, his comments served notice to the markets that higher rates remain a long, long way off. Lowe was clear in this message, saying in the bank's assessment, "the cash rate is very likely to remain at its current level until at least 2024.”
Sandwiched in between Lowe's comments were solid economic releases, reiterating that the economy is pointed in the right direction. The NAB Business Confidence index rose from 10 to 16 in February, its highest level since 2010. As well, Westpac Consumer Sentiment rose to 111.8 in March, up from 109.1 beforehand. The index is now just shy of the December read of 112.0, which was a 10 year high.
AUD/USD faces resistance at 0.7805, followed by resistance at 0.7930. On the downside, there is support at 0.7589. If this line fails, the pair could fall sharply, with the next support level at 0.7498
AUD steady as retail sales hit expectationsThe Australian dollar has recorded slight gains in the Thursday session. Currently, the pair is trading at 0.7790, up 0.23% on the day.
Retail sales climbed 0.5% in January, which followed the December gain of 0.6%. These are by no means earth-shattering numbers, but the two consecutive gains are welcome news after back-to-back declines of around 4 per cent. The small gains point to consumer spending stabilizing and with the recovery gaining steam, we can expect better numbers in the coming months.
It has been a busy week on the fundamental side, with a host of Australian indicators. The highlights have been the RBA policy meeting and a strong GDP report. The RBA left interest rates at the ultra-low level of 0.10%, but the rate statement was notable for its reference to the Australian dollar. The statement noted that the bank's current monetary policy had contributed "to a lower exchange rate than otherwise. The central bank has watched with apprehension as the Australian dollar has appreciated sharply against the US dollar, with the Aussie punching above the symbolic 80-line just last week. The RBA would like a lower exchange in order to maintain price stability and protect the critical export sector.
GDP showed a strong gain of 3.1% in Q4, down slightly from 3.3% beforehand but well above the estimate of 2.5%. Finance Minister Josh Frydenberg commented that the economy was recovering more quickly than the government had anticipated, noting that the first time in recorded history that Australia has seen two consecutive quarters of economic growth of more than 3%”.
Let's review the weekly support and resistance levels:
AUD/USD faces resistance at 0.7910, followed by resistance at 0.8116. There is weak support at 0.7752, followed closely by support at 0.7728. The pair is trading around the 0.78 line, which is slightly above its multi-month ascending wedge support at 0.7750.
AUDUSD - Long Despite Pullback AUDUSD has pulled back since hitting the 0.8 psychological level as US yields rose significantly last week leading the US dollar to strengthen. We still hold a long view whilst the currency pair is above support at 0.754 as we await the RBA rate decision and AUD GDP growth rate data next week.
Began Buying Yesterday RBASlow and steady buying this daily. Lil dividend cherry on top.
Like what I see and love Ritchie Bros. I drive by and see a yard full of heavy equipment... a week later empty... more.... empty.... MONEY IS BEING MADE!
little to no debt... RBA is positioned very well in the coming years.
As always good health, wealth, and best wishes to all!
Inflation Rate Roundups Trade Safe - Trade Well
Regards,
Michael Harding 😎 Chief Technical Strategist @ LEFTURN Inc.
RISK DISCLAIMER
Information and opinions contained with this post are for educational purposes and do not constitute trading recommendations. Trading Forex on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Before deciding to invest in Forex you should consider your knowledge, investment objectives, and your risk appetite. Only trade/invest with funds you can afford to lose.
Monetary Policy Meeting: BoE & RBALast week, the Bank of England and the Reserve Bank of Australia held their first monetary policy meeting for this year. In this article, we will look at the takeaway from the meetings.
BoE put to rest speculation on adoption of negative interest rate.
The third national lockdown imposed on England early last month led to the speculation that the Bank of England (BoE) is likely going to take interest rate to the negative level to cushion the negative impact on the UK economy. However, the speculation has been put to rest by the central bank during its monetary policy meeting last week. In the monetary policy minutes, the BoE stated that it “did not wish to send any signal that it intended to set a negative Bank Rate at some point in the future”. Furthermore, the central bank highlighted that the implementation of negative interest rate will require preparatory work to be carried out six months before its implementation. In an effort to control the situation, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey advised the public not to speculate any future actions that the central bank may take.
On the economic recovery side of things, the BoE expects the UK economy to contract by 4% during the first quarter of 2021. However, the central bank is optimistic that the economy will recover fast this year with UK’s speedy vaccination programme, expecting the economy to return to the pre-pandemic level by the first quarter of 2022. As a result, the BoE revised down its economic growth forecast for 2021 from 7.25% to 5% but revised up its forecast for 2022 from 6.25% to 7.25%. Finally, the central bank kept its interest rate and monetary policy unchanged.
RBA carries out more monetary policy easing.
Unlike the Bank of England, its Australian counterpart took a more aggressive approach towards monetary easing. During the monetary policy meeting last week, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decided to purchase additional $100 billion of government bonds once the current bond purchase program ends in mid-April. The main reason for the central bank to carry out more easing was due to subdued wage and price pressures. The RBA highlighted that the latest annual inflation rate of 0.9% is still far from the central bank’s targeted level of 2-3% while wages are increasing at the slowest rate ever. The central bank expects both inflation and wages to pick up gradually but will still remain below 2 per cent over the next two years.
Despite the subdued wage and price pressures, the RBA also acknowledged that economic recovery in Australia has exceeded their expectation. The jobs market has been performing well, indicating strong employment growth and continued decline in unemployment rate. Consumer spending has also been strong while an increase in the number of deferred loan repayments have been made. Thus, the central bank is now expecting the country’s economic growth to return to the end-2019 level by mid-2021 as opposed to the previous expectation of end-2021. Lastly, the RBA also expect interest rate to remain at the current level of 0.10% until wages growth is higher than the current level and its inflation target range of 2-3% has been met, which the central bank foresees it to happen only in 2024 at the earliest.
ridethepig | NZD for FED📌 ridethepig | NZD Market Commentary 27.01.2021
What is in play here?
Buyers depriving shorts of their rewards and not allowing the breakdown ahead of Fed. Strategically speaking, this looks and smells a lot like a slingshot. The strong rejection points towards the Kiwi inflows after RBNZ let slip that rate cuts are unlikely. On the Fed side, dollar devaluation is still the name of the game and a dovish Powell is already widely expected. Not expecting much positivity on the recovery front, positioning is the main factor in play here and a sweep of the highs would be healthy as is the case for EURUSD.
Thanks as usual for keeping the feedback coming 👍 or 👎
AUDUSD - Potential Bull FlagHello Traders,
The AUDUSD is currently trading on a key trendline support and a typical bull flag formation.
The recent rally in the USD looks corrective in nature, therefore we are expecting further selling pressure coming into play against the USD in the near future.
Any thoughts or comments are welcome below.
ridethepig | AUDNZD Market Commentary 20.01.2021📌 ridethepig | AUDNZD Market Commentary 20.01.2021
This chart illustrates the remaining crumbs in AUDNZD which is worth further study. The position from the previous diagrams continues and we are set for taking the next main target at 1.089x/1.090x.
Now, buyers have overcome their difficulties in development, the base is optimally protected from AUD inflows via the commodity side. Happy to continue holding AUD against the bird, and is a nice way to express a dovish view on NZD.
Thanks as usual for keeping the feedback coming 👍 or 👎
AUDUSD is trending in a pennant flag pattern - more upside?AUDUSD is trending to the upside today ahead of US elections. A break above the resistance trendline could signal for buyers to drive price higher, likewise a rejection of the resistance line could signal further selling. We are bullish AUDUSD today as traders may look to reduce USD exposure approaching the elections. It is worth taking into account the RBA's rate cute today, from 0.25% to record lows of 0.1%. This would typically be bearish for the AUD.
ridethepig | Aussie for the Yearly Close📌 AUD for the Yearly Close
It seems a good choice of the moment to also progress with the Commodity Currencies next, the characteristic of the next macro themes are going to be coming from shortages on supply side and we can dissect how to configure that into currencies and in accordance with the previous diagrams.
AUD has freed some space above for the coming months and quarters, the 0.813x initial target is interesting to note how the opportunity for capitulation of sellers arises, the breach will unlock the 'inverse' of a waterfall concept that we are now discussing in USD;
With enormous complications for commodities coming, after a few more mistakes from politicians, AUD will be one of the main winners in the moves. In the next flows, 0.950x and 1.097x are clear extensions but until we can crack through the 0.813x soft resistance are only considered skeletons in the closet for now.
Thanks as usual for keeping the feedback coming 👍or 👎