AUD/USD aims for continued recovery amid RBA meeting anticipation
Recovering from a six-month low, AUD/USD's surge is buoyed by strong economic indicators and pre-FOMC speculations, with crucial RBA decisions and retail data looming.
Ten days ago, the AUD/USD dived below .6400c to its lowest level in over six months. However, after a remarkable five-day winning streak last week, the AUD/USD has started this week on the front foot, looking to extend its rebound above .6600c.
The AUD/USD's stunning recovery last week was partly due to position squaring, as traders locked in profits on long US dollar positions ahead of this week's FOMC meeting and US jobs data.
Also playing a strong hand, firmer than expected Australian CPI and PPI last week, coming hot on the heels of a robust labour force report, has resulted in the Australian interest rate market swinging from pricing in RBA rate cuts this year to a 50% chance of a hike before year-end.
While we aren't entirely on board with the idea of another RBA rate hike, we acknowledge the window for rate cuts in 2024 is closing; and push back our call for a first RBA rate cut from August until November. Additionally, next week's RBA Board Meeting may see the RBA reinstate its tightening bias. In the lead-up to next week's RBA meeting, we will receive retail sales data for March, building and home loan approvals, and private sector credit this week.
What is expected from March's retail sales report
Date: Tuesday, 30 April at 11.30am AEST
The main event on this week's local calendar is Tuesday's retail sales report for March. The market is looking for a rise of 0.3% MoM, unchanged from 0.3% in February. Given the RBA's focus is on inflation, another tepid retail sales number in March is unlikely to undo the market's current pricing of rate RBA rate hikes.
AU retail sales MoM chart
AUD/USD technical analysis
On the weekly chart, the AUD/USD continues to move sideways within a contracting multi-month bearish triangle. Downtrend resistance from the January 2023 .7158 high is currently at .6765ish. Uptrend support from the October 2022 .6170 low is at .6340ish.
AUD/USD weekly chart
AUD/USD daily technical analysis
The AUD/USD started this week looking to extend its rebound towards a thick resistance layer between .6630 and .6670. Should the AUD/USD break above .6670, weekly downtrend resistance at .6765 would come into play.
On the downside, the AUD/USD has initial support from the 200-day moving average at .6525 and below that, a layer of support at .6480ish from swing lows in March and April, reinforced by the February .6442 low.
AUD/USD daily chart
- Source TradingView. The figures stated are as of 29 April 2024. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report does not contain and is not to be taken as containing any financial product advice or financial product recommendation.
The information on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG Bank S.A. accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer.
Start trading forex today
Find opportunity on the world’s most-traded – and most-volatile – financial market
- Trade spreads from just 0.6 points on EUR/USD
- Analyse with clear, fast charts
- Speculate wherever you are with our intuitive mobile apps
See an FX opportunity?
Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re onto something.
- Log in to your demo
- Take your position
- See whether your hunch pays off
See an FX opportunity?
Don’t miss your chance – upgrade to a live account to take advantage.
- Get spreads from just 0.6 points on popular pairs
- Analyse and deal seamlessly on fast, intuitive charts
- See and react to breaking news in-platform
See an FX opportunity?
Don’t miss your chance. Log in to take your position.
Live prices on most popular markets
- Forex
- Shares
- Indices
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.
