By Han Tan, Market Analyst, ForexTime
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is set to make its policy decision in just a few hours, and is expected to leave interest rates unchanged at the record low of 0.25 percent. And the Aussie Dollar’s strength over recent months could weigh on the RBA’s discussions today.
The Australian Dollar has been on a remarkable rise, having strengthened against all of its G10 peers since March 31. AUDUSD has surged over 29 percent since its March 19 low, with the Australian Dollar taking advantage of the weaker Greenback while riding the optimism around China’s post-pandemic recovery.
However, in the days leading up to the central bank’s meeting, AUDUSD has fallen away from the 0.72 psychological level. Aussie traders now stand ready to use any cues out of the RBA to determine how this G10 currency will fare for the rest of this week.
Investors will assess Australia’s monetary policy outlook in light of Victoria state having declared a state of disaster amid a resurgence in coronavirus cases. Victoria is home to about 20 percent of the nation’s population and accounts for about a quarter of Australia’s GDP. With residents of the city of Melbourne now subject to a curfew between 8:00PM and 5:00AM, every day until at least September 13, such lockdown measures are expected to have a major impact on the Australian economy.
Free Reports:
Get our Weekly Commitment of Traders Reports - See where the biggest traders (Hedge Funds and Commercial Hedgers) are positioned in the futures markets on a weekly basis.
Download Our Metatrader 4 Indicators – Put Our Free MetaTrader 4 Custom Indicators on your charts when you join our Weekly Newsletter
The RBA’s previous optimism after the country’s swifter-than-expected reopening following the first wave of Covid-19 cases could be dampened by the realities unfolding in Victoria state. It remains to be seen how the RBA will factor this latest lockdown into its quarterly economic projections due Friday, or if it would make any more policy adjustments to offset the economic effects.
A surprise rate cut today, or any dovish tones out of the central bank this week, could heap more downward pressure on AUD. Still, policymakers might welcome a weaker currency as it helps alleviate Australia’s economic pressures. However, should the RBA stick to its wait-and-see approach, then AUDUSD could resume its upward trajectory, with the recent drop being interpreted perhaps as nothing more than a technical pullback since reaching overbought conditions last week.
Disclaimer: The content in this article comprises personal opinions and should not be construed as containing personal and/or other investment advice and/or an offer of and/or solicitation for any transactions in financial instruments and/or a guarantee and/or prediction of future performance. ForexTime (FXTM), its affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees do not guarantee the accuracy, validity, timeliness or completeness, of any information or data made available and assume no liability as to any loss arising from any investment based on the same.
Article by ForexTime
ForexTime Ltd (FXTM) is an award winning international online forex broker regulated by CySEC 185/12 www.forextime.com
- COT Metals Charts: Speculator bets led by Gold & Steel May 4, 2024
- COT Bonds Charts: Speculator bets led lower by SOFR 3M & 10-Year Bonds May 4, 2024
- COT Soft Commodities Charts: Speculator bets led by Wheat, Soybean Meal & Corn May 4, 2024
- COT Stock Market Charts: Speculator bets led lower by S&P500 & MSCI EAFE May 4, 2024
- The British index has updated the historical maximum. Oil lost 5% over the week May 3, 2024
- US Fed tilts towards a rate cut despite the postponement. HKMA left the rate unchanged at 5.75% May 2, 2024
- Brent crude oil hits seven-week low May 2, 2024
- Target Thursdays: USDJPY, Copper & EURCAD May 2, 2024
- WTI oil declines on rising inventories and negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Rising unemployment in New Zealand may force RBNZ to start cutting rates earlier May 1, 2024
- Bitcoin stumbles below $60k ahead of Fed May 1, 2024