Australian Dollar maintains position after the release of Private Capital Expenditure
- The Australian Dollar receives support from the stronger Private Capital Expenditure on Thursday.
- Australia's total new capital expenditure unexpectedly increased by 1.1% QoQ in Q3, exceeding the expected 0.9% increase.
- The AUD/USD pair may struggle as the US is set to introduce further AI chip sanctions against China on Monday.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) holds steady against the US Dollar (USD) following the release of stronger-than-expected Private Capital Expenditure on Thursday. Australia's total new capital expenditure rose by 1.1% quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter, surpassing market expectations of a 0.9% increase and rebounding from a 2.2% decline in the previous quarter.
However, the AUD/USD pair may face downward pressure as the United States (US) is set to unveil additional measures on Monday aimed at curbing China’s ability to advance in artificial intelligence technology. Given the close trade ties between Australia and China, any significant shifts in China’s economy are likely to ripple through Australian markets.
Additionally, the Australian Dollar faced challenges due to dampened market sentiment following President-elect Donald Trump's announcement of a 10% increase in tariffs on all Chinese goods entering the United States.
The downside of the AUD was restrained due to the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) hawkish outlook on future interest rate decisions. Australia's monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.1% year-over-year in October, unchanged from the previous month but below market expectations of 2.3%. This marked the lowest inflation rate since July 2021 and remained within the central bank's target range of 2-3% for the third consecutive month.
Australian Dollar holds ground as the US Dollar faces challenges due to monthly flows
- The US Dollar struggles due to monthly flows and reduced trading activity due to the Thanksgiving holiday. However, the USD's decline may be capped, as the Federal Reserve (Fed) is likely to remain cautious about cutting interest rates following Wednesday's robust inflation data. The report indicated solid growth in consumer spending for October, but it also highlighted a stagnation in progress toward lowering inflation, keeping the Fed on alert.
- The US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index increased by 2.3% year-over-year in October, up from 2.1% in September. Meanwhile, the core PCE Price Index, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose by 2.8%, slightly higher than the 2.7% recorded the previous month. Both figures aligned with market expectations, indicating steady inflationary pressure within the economy.
- The latest Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) Meeting Minutes for the policy meeting held on November 7, indicated that policymakers are adopting a cautious stance on cutting interest rates, citing easing inflation and a robust labor market.
- US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to appoint Jamieson Greer as the US Trade Representative, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. Greer’s nomination highlights the central role of tariffs in Trump’s economic strategy.
- Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee indicated on Tuesday that the Fed will likely continue lowering interest rates toward a neutral stance that neither stimulates nor restricts economic activity. Meanwhile, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari highlighted that it remains appropriate to consider another rate cut at the Fed’s December meeting, according to Bloomberg.
- The recent preliminary S&P Global US Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data have reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) may slow the pace of rate cuts. Futures traders are now assigning a 57.7% probability to the Federal Reserve cutting rates by a quarter point in December, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
- Australia's four largest banks predicted the Reserve Bank of Australia's first rate cut. Westpac has revised its forecast for the first cut to May, up from February. National Australia Bank (NAB) also expects the cut in May. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and ANZ are cautiously forecasting a rate cut in February.
Technical Analysis: Australian Dollar tests nine-day EMA near 0.6500
AUD/USD trades near 0.6500 on Thursday, with technical analysis indicating growing short-term bearish momentum. The pair remains within a descending channel, while the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) stays below 50, reflecting sustained negative sentiment.
On the downside, the AUD/USD pair could retest its four-month low of 0.6434, recorded on November 26. A break below this level could expose the yearly low of 0.6348, last seen on August 5, with further support near the descending channel’s lower boundary around 0.6310.
Conversely, the immediate resistance is at the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) of 0.6501, followed by the 14-day EMA at 0.6513. Additional resistance is seen at the channel's upper boundary near 0.6540. A decisive break above these levels could pave the way for a move toward the four-week high of 0.6687.
AUD/USD: Daily Chart
Australian Dollar PRICE Today
The table below shows the percentage change of Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. Australian Dollar was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.
| USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.20% | -0.11% | -0.14% | -0.06% | 0.10% | |
| EUR | -0.05% | -0.02% | 0.14% | -0.16% | -0.19% | -0.12% | 0.04% | |
| GBP | -0.03% | 0.02% | 0.15% | -0.14% | -0.15% | -0.10% | 0.06% | |
| JPY | -0.20% | -0.14% | -0.15% | -0.31% | -0.33% | -0.30% | -0.11% | |
| CAD | 0.11% | 0.16% | 0.14% | 0.31% | -0.02% | 0.04% | 0.20% | |
| AUD | 0.14% | 0.19% | 0.15% | 0.33% | 0.02% | 0.07% | 0.24% | |
| NZD | 0.06% | 0.12% | 0.10% | 0.30% | -0.04% | -0.07% | 0.16% | |
| CHF | -0.10% | -0.04% | -0.06% | 0.11% | -0.20% | -0.24% | -0.16% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Australian Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent AUD (base)/USD (quote).
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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