Australian Dollar climbs as mixed US data boosts risk sentiment
- Aussie nears 0.6300 amid cautious optimism on Wednesday.
- Investors eye possible February rate cut from RBA.
- Mid-tier US data came in mixed and weighed on the USD.
The Australian Dollar (AUD/USD) edges toward 0.6300, buoyed by mixed United States data that softened the Greenback and lifted broader risk assets. Nonetheless, anticipation of a dovish Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) move next month tempers upside potential. Ongoing US-China trade tensions further cloud the outlook, restraining a more decisive rally in the Aussie.
Daily digest market movers: Aussie climbs amid mixed US data
- President Donald Trump’s additional tariff on Chinese imports remains in effect, prompting China’s plan for new countermeasures and an antitrust investigation into Alphabet.
- The United States has postponed a 25% duty on Canadian and Mexican imports for 30 days, contingent on border security commitments.
- The ADP Employment Change report surprised with 183,000 new private-sector jobs, surpassing market estimates of 150,000.
- Revised data from S&P Global show January Services at 52.9 and Composite at 52.7, both up from previous figures.
- The Institute for Supply Management’s Services PMI declined to 52.8, missing the 54.3 forecast, while the Prices Paid component dropped to 60.4.
- Markets are expecting that the Federal Reserve might hold rates steady in March, especially after mixed economic signals.
- On the other hand, speculation of a 25 bps cut by the RBA in February weighs on the Aussie since inflation remains subdued.
AUD/USD technical outlook: Pair flirts with key resistance near 0.6300
The pair’s advance above the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) around 0.6230 highlights recovering momentum, with the Aussie rising 0.67% to near 0.6300. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 58, hinting at growing bullish pressure, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram’s decreasing green bars suggest lingering caution. Although improved risk sentiment encourages short-term gains, market bets on a February RBA rate cut and persistent trade disputes could cap upside potential.
Australian Dollar FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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