AUD/USD falls through key support after weak Aussie data

The Aussie dollar failed to hold key support levels in late New York trade Thursday after data on the Aussie economy came in on the weak side.

AUD/USD fell through key 100-day support around $0.6800, a selloff aided by the data. The Aussie dollar was trading around $0.6790 against the greenback late in New York.

The Flash Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI), which gives insight into manufacturing health, came in at 49.9 for October, just slightly below the 50 level that indicates contraction. The Flash Services Index, which gives an insight into the much larger services part of the economy, fell to 49.5 last month from 50.1 in September.

Goldman forecast

EUR/USD continued its tight range trade with a downside bias after influential US investment bank Goldman Sachs issued an upbeat forecast for the US and global economy.

Saying that the worst of the economic slowdown in recent months is likely behind us, Goldman’s forecast, especially for the US, is strongly bullish and well above the consensus estimates of other forecasts.

Goldman sees US growth in 2020 coming in at 2.3%, and global growth at 3.4%.

After US employment data released earlier this month showed sharp upward revisions in previously weak summer numbers, there has been a sea change in attitudes about the US economy. Consensus has gone from recession quite possible to recession unlikely.

US retailers

Third quarter numbers from top US retailers have had see-saw impact on forex markets this week.

Early on, numbers from department store chain Macy’s and home improvement giant Home Depot were worrisome leading some to think that a weak retail sales environment was in the offing. But the next day gangbuster numbers from Target and strong results from Home Depot competitor Lowe’s reversed that view.

But traders shouldn’t read too much into the retailer results numbers, as they are more indicative of company and marketplace micro developments than macro overall retail sales health.

Department store giant Macy’s poor showing has more to do with shifts in the retail marketplace, specifically a massive slowdown in shopping mall traffic, where Macy’s stores are located, in the age of Amazon and the growth of online retail.

Lowe’s has been better at tweaking its merchandising and has been gaining market share vis-à-vis Home Depot, attracting high value and recurring contractor business.

And Q3 showed why Target is considered quite possibly the best managed retailer on the planet. The US’s second largest store chain it homeruns in every possible metric, blowing past Q3 estimates and raising future guidance. The stock soared 15% on the results.