Australian Dollar remains in positive territory after paring recent gains
- AUD/USD holds gains amid a hawkish RBA policy outlook, and sentiment supports the Australian Dollar.
- RBA Governor Bullock warned that inflation remains too high, stating that further interest rate hikes cannot be ruled out completely.
- Easing safe-haven demand puts pressure on the US Dollar.
AUD/USD pares its daily gains, remaining in the positive territory and trading around 0.7010 during the European hours on Thursday. The pair appreciated as the Australian Dollar (AUD) received support from prevailing hawkish sentiment surrounding the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) policy outlook.
Governor Michele Bullock emphasized that inflation remains too high and reiterated that further rate hikes cannot be ruled out. The RBA board continues to prioritize price stability as inflation remains above its 2–3% target.
The AUD/USD pair holds gains as the US Dollar (USD) remains weaker on easing safe-haven demand following the BBC report late Wednesday, indicating that the White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding designed to end the US-Israel war on Iran.
However, the Greenback may regain its ground against its major peers, including AUD, amid rising odds of rate hikes by the Federal Reserve (Fed) later this year. The Fed’s June Summary of Economic Projections showed half of FOMC members expect at least one rate hike this year. Despite economic disruptions linked to the conflict in Iran, resilient labor market data and persistent underlying inflation measures continue to drive tightening pressures.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted unanimously to maintain its benchmark federal funds rate in the range of 3.5% to 3.75%. In his first meeting since taking the helm of the US central bank, the newly appointed Federal Reserve Chairman, Kevin Warsh, vowed to aggressively restore price stability.
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 of 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 from 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.
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