AUD/USD faces challenges: Chinese GDP and Australian jobs report in spotlight
AUD/USD faces challenges with softer inflation and iron ore dip. Chinese GDP and Thursday's aussie jobs report key. Expectations of +15k employment and 3.9% unemployment crucial for RBA's 2024 rate outlook.
Last week saw a second consecutively weekly fall for the AUD/USD, as a softer-than-expected Australian inflation report and a 4.4% fall in the price of iron ore weighed on the local unit.
Whether the AUD/USD can regain upside traction after its almost 10% rally into year-end will depend to a large degree on Chinese GDP and activity data due for release on Wednesday, which will provide fresh insights into the health of the Chinese economy at the beginning of 2024.
Locally, the release of the latest Australian labour force report schedule for release on Thursday, previewed below, will also have a strong say in how the AUD/USD trades this week.
Employment data (Thursday, January 18th at 11.30 am AEST)
The Australian economy added 61.5k jobs in November vs. the 11.5k expected. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9% from 3.8%, as the participation rate surged to a record high of 67.2% from 67%.
Bjorn Jarvis, ABS head of labour statistics, said: "With employment increasing by 61,000 people, and the number of unemployed people rising by 19,000, the unemployment rate rose to 3.9 per cent in November." This month, the market is looking for a +15k rise in employment and for the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 3.9%. The participation rate is also expected to remain unchanged at 67.2%.
Ahead of the jobs report, there are two RBA rate cuts priced into the Australian rates market, with a first-rate cut for June and a second by December, which would take the cash rate back to 3.60% by year-end. If the unemployment rate were to tick up to 4% or above, it might see the start of a third rate cut priced into the rates curve for 2024.
Australia's unemployment rate chart
AUD/USD technical analysis
From the October .6270 low to the December .6871 high, the AUD/USD gained just under 10% in two months. The rally appears to have unfolded in five waves (Elliott Wave), which suggests the pullback from the .6871 high is part of a correction, rather than a reversal lower.
The correction will likely be well supported initially at the early January .6640 low, reinforced by the 200-day moving average at .6580. A very good layer of horizontal support is not far below at .6520/00.
If we were to see evidence of basing near one of the support levels mentioned above, it might be the setup for a long trade looking for a rebound towards the .6871 high.
AUD/USD daily chart
- Source: TradingView. The figures stated are as of 15 January 2023. 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.
IGA, may distribute information/research produced by its respective foreign affiliates within the IG Group of companies pursuant to an arrangement under Regulation 32C of the Financial Advisers Regulations. Where the research is distributed in Singapore to a person who is not an Accredited Investor, Expert Investor or an Institutional Investor, IGA accepts legal responsibility for the contents of the report to such persons only to the extent required by law. Singapore recipients should contact IGA at 6390 5118 for matters arising from, or in connection with the information distributed.
The information/research herein is prepared by IG Asia Pte Ltd (IGA) and its foreign affiliated companies (collectively known as the IG Group) and is intended for general circulation only. It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any particular person. You should take into account your specific investment objectives, financial situation, and particular needs before making a commitment to trade, including seeking advice from an independent financial adviser regarding the suitability of the investment, under a separate engagement, as you deem fit.
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. Please see important Research Disclaimer.
Please also note that the information does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. Any views and opinions expressed may be changed without an update.
Start trading forex today
Trade the largest and most volatile financial market in the world.
- Spreads start at just 0.6 points on EUR/USD
- Analyse market movements with our essential selection of charts
- Speculate from a range of platforms, including on mobile
Live prices on most popular markets
- Forex
- Shares
- Indices
See more forex live prices
See more shares live prices
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.
See more indices live prices
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 20 mins.
