AUD/USD’s rebound under review as markets weigh policy impacts
AUD/USD rebounds as support from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s hawkish hold contrasted with a dovish Federal Reserve. Focus on Thursday’s labour report and further clarity on US policy.
AUD/USD bounces back despite US dollar strength on Trump win
AUD/USD staged a recovery last week, closing higher at 0.6582 (+0.35%) and breaking a five-week losing streak that saw it drop 4.8% in October. This rebound occurred despite Donald Trump’s election victory, which is expected to further strengthen the US dollar through potential tariff and tax policies.
However, the timing of these policy announcements remains uncertain, likely occurring after his inauguration on 20 January. This creates some risk for those heavily invested in the US dollar while awaiting official updates.
AUD currency holds steady amid mixed signals
In the meantime, the Australian dollar found support following last Tuesday's hawkish Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate hold, in contrast to the dovish tone from the Federal Reserve (Fed) on Thursday.
This support also helped AUD/USD withstand disappointment following Friday’s National People’s Congress (NPC) announcement, which provided only vague guidance, suggesting modest stimulus for housing and consumption.
The next significant move for AUD/USD will likely depend on Thursday’s labour force report, previewed below.
October labour force report preview
Date: Thursday, 14 November at 11.30am AEDT
In September, the Australian economy added 64,100 jobs, significantly beating the 25,000 gain anticipated by the market. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, with the participation rate rising to a record high of 67.2%.
Bjorn Jarvis, head of labour statistics at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), stated: 'With employment rising by around 64,000 people and the number of unemployed falling by around 9000, the unemployment rate remained at 4.1 per cent, where it has generally been over the past six months.'
Last month’s strong employment data marked the seventh time in eight months that job growth exceeded forecasts. In the RBA’s statement accompanying last week’s rate hold decision, the bank noted that 'labour market conditions remain tight, and while conditions have been easing gradually, some indicators have recently stabilised.'
The preliminary expectations for October suggest the Australian economy will add 20,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate expected to rise to 4.2%. Should the rate increase to 4.3%, it may prompt the market to bring forward a 25 basis point (bp) RBA rate cut to February from the current projection of July.
AU unemployment rate chart
AUD/USD technical analysis
AUD/USD rejected multi-month downtrend resistance at 0.6900 - 0.6910c in late September, originating from the 0.8007 high of February 2021 and the 1.1081 high from July 2011. It appears to be heading towards multi-month trend line support around 0.6400c.
AUD/USD monthly chart
Based on the monthly chart above, and following the extended decline from the September high of 0.6942, we expect sellers to re-emerge on any bounces, with AUD/USD potentially heading to 0.6400c.
Initial resistance is seen at the 200-day moving average at 0.6630, followed by resistance from last Thursday's spike high of 0.6688. The 50% Fibonacci retracement of the decline from the September 0.6942 high to last week's 0.6512 low is around 0.6730.
It would be surprising if AUD/USD were to make a lasting impression at this level.
AUD/USD daily chart
- Source: TradingView. The figures stated are as of 11 November 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.
News and trade ideas
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.