Australian Dollar edges higher on improved Aussie PMI amid steady US Dollar
- Australian Dollar gains ground on improved domestic economic data on Thursday.
- Australia’s Judo Bank Services and Composite PMIs improved to 54.4 and 53.3, respectively, in March.
- US Dollar receives downward pressure due to lower US Treasury yields.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) continues to gain ground on the third successive session after improved Judo Bank Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data released on Thursday. Additionally, improved Building Permits (YoY) figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics added support to the advance of the AUD.
The AUD/USD pair posted solid gains on Wednesday, as US Dollar (USD) suffered losses due to falling US Treasury yields, while US economic data was mixed, with a stronger ADP Employment Change but softer ISM Services PMI data from the United States (US). Additionally, improved Chinese Services PMI might have contributed support to underpinning the Aussie Dollar.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) attempts to snap its two-day losing streak amid dovish remarks from Federal Reserve officials. Fed Chair Jerome Powell reaffirmed the US central bank's preparedness to implement rate cuts, emphasizing a data-dependent approach. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic's remarks, advocating for a rate cut in the final quarter of 2024. Adriana Kugle highlighted that the ongoing disinflationary trend would necessitate rate reductions, with expectations of at least three cuts by the last quarter of 2024.
Daily Digest Market Movers: Australian Dollar appreciates on improved Judo Bank PMI figures
- Australia Judo Bank Services PMI improved to 54.4 in March from 53.5 in February. Judo Bank Composite PMI increased to 53.3 from the previous reading of 52.4.
- Australia’s Building Permits (MoM) fell by 1.9% in February against the expected increase of 3.3% and the previous decline of 2.5%. While there is an increase of 5.2% YoY, compared to the previous increase of 4.8%.
- Australian Industry Group (AiG) Industry Index showed improvement in February, rising to a reading of -5.3 from the previous -14.9.
- AiG Manufacturing PMI came in at -7, compared to the prior reading of -12.6. AiG Construction PMI posted a reading of -12.9 in February against the previous -18.4 reading.
- RBA March minutes showed that the board did not contemplate the option of raising interest rates. They unanimously agreed that it was challenging to definitively predict future changes in the cash rate. While the economic outlook remained uncertain, the risks appeared to be generally balanced. The board acknowledged that it would require "some time" before they could express confidence in inflation returning to the target level.
- According to Westpac's summary of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) March meeting minutes, the current cash rate level is considered suitable for the present circumstances, although conditions may change in the future.
- China's Services PMI improved to 52.7 in March, compared with the previous reading of 52.5.
- US President Joe Biden engaged in a phone conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping sometime after November. During the call, the two leaders had an open and constructive dialogue covering various bilateral, regional, and global topics, addressing both areas of collaboration and points of divergence.
- Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is set to visit China this week, where she will hold meetings with China's Finance Minister, as well as engage with economists, students, and members of the business community.
- Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester indicated on Tuesday her anticipation of rate cuts later this year. Concurrently, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly expressed her view that three rate cuts in 2024 appear "reasonable," contingent upon further convincing evidence to solidify such a decision.
- US ADP Employment Change rose by 184K in March, compared to the 155K increase in February, above the market consensus of 148K.
- US ISM Services PMI eased to 51.4 in March from 52.6 in February, weaker than the expectation of 52.7.
- US ISM Manufacturing PMI indicated a surprise expansion in March, as the index climbed to 50.3 in March from February's 47.8, surpassing expectations of 48.4. This reading marked the highest level observed since September 2022.
Technical Analysis: Australian rises to near 0.6580 followed by 61.8% Fibonacci retracement
The Australian Dollar trades around 0.6580 on Thursday. The key resistance region appears around the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level of 0.6596, in conjunction with the psychological level of 0.6600. A breakthrough above this level could lead the AUD/USD pair to explore the area around the major level of 0.6650 and March’s high of 0.6667. On the downside, Immediate support is seen around the major level of 0.6550 and the 14-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) of 0.6543. A break below the latter could exert downward pressure on the AUD/USD pair to approach the psychological level of 0.6500.
AUD/USD: Daily Chart
Australian Dollar price today
The table below shows the percentage change of Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. Australian Dollar was the strongest against the Japanese Yen.
| USD | EUR | GBP | CAD | AUD | JPY | NZD | CHF | |
| USD | -0.02% | 0.04% | -0.05% | -0.17% | 0.06% | -0.12% | 0.01% | |
| EUR | 0.02% | 0.04% | -0.03% | -0.16% | 0.07% | -0.10% | 0.04% | |
| GBP | -0.02% | -0.04% | -0.07% | -0.20% | 0.03% | -0.14% | -0.01% | |
| CAD | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.09% | -0.14% | 0.10% | -0.08% | 0.05% | |
| AUD | 0.17% | 0.16% | 0.20% | 0.13% | 0.23% | 0.05% | 0.19% | |
| JPY | -0.05% | -0.08% | -0.02% | -0.10% | -0.25% | -0.16% | -0.04% | |
| NZD | 0.11% | 0.09% | 0.15% | 0.08% | -0.05% | 0.19% | 0.11% | |
| CHF | -0.01% | -0.03% | 0.01% | -0.06% | -0.19% | 0.04% | -0.14% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).
Australian Dollar FAQs
One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate, and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive.
China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods, and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs.
Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive for the AUD.
The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought-after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created by foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.