Forex - AUD/USD as RBA leaves rates unchanged but hints at future cuts

Published 07/02/2013, 02:10 PM
AUD/USD
-
EUR/AUD
-
AUD/JPY
-
Forexpros - The Australian dollar weakened against the greenback on Tuesday after the Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates unchanged at record-low levels but left the door open to further loosening if need be.

In U.S. trading on Tuesday, AUD/USD hit 0.9146, down 0.98%, up from a session low of 0.9131 and off from a high of 0.9250.

The pair was likely to test support at 0.9114, Friday's low, and resistance at 0.9254, Monday's high.

The Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates unchanged at a record low 2.75% but suggested further rate cuts may come later this year, saying the subdued inflation outlook left scope for more easing.

"The Australian dollar has depreciated by around 10% since early April, although it remains at a high level. It is possible that the exchange rate will depreciate further over time, which would help to foster a rebalancing of growth in the economy," Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens said in a statement.

Meanwhile in the U.S., the dollar saw demand on better-than-expected factory data.

The Commerce Department reported earlier that U.S. factory orders rose 2.1% in May from April, beating expectations for a 2.0% increase and above an upwardly revised 1.3% rate in April.

The numbers drew applause in markets by rekindling expectations that the Federal Reserve remains on course to tapering its USD85 billion-a-month asset purchasing program later this year.

Investors kept a close eye on Friday, when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its June jobs report, which markets hope will act as a weather vane as to when the Fed may begin to dismantle stimulus programs, which weaken the dollar to spur recovery.

The Australian dollar, meanwhile was down against the euro and up against the yen, with EUR/AUD up 0.51% at 1.4212 and AUD/JPY up 0.04% at 92.09.

On Wednesday, the U.S. is to release the ADP report on nonfarm payrolls, which leads the closely watched government report by two days. The U.S. is also to release the weekly government report on initial jobless claims, one day ahead of schedule, as well as data on the trade balance.

In addition, the Institute for Supply Management is to produce a report on U.S. service sector activity.

Meanwhile, Australia is to produce official data on retail sales, the government measure of consumer spending, which accounts for the majority of overall economic activity, as well as a report on the trade balance.








Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.