China’s Retail Sales rises 2.1% YoY in August, Industrial Production up 4.5%

Source Fxstreet

China’s Retail Sales rose 2.1% YoY in August from 2.7% in July, worse than the 2.5% expected. The nation’s Industrial Production increased 4.5% YoY in the same period versus 4.8% anticipated and 5.1% recorded previously. The official data was published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Fixed Asset Investment rose 3.4% YTD YoY in August versus the 3.5% expected and 3.6% seen in July.  

Market reaction to Chinese data

The AUD/USD pair is adding 0.07% on the day to trade at 0.6708, as of writing.

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.

 

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Copper Long-term forecast: Will Copper Price Expected To Soar In 2023?The price of copper is affected by various of factors. You may wonder how the price of cooper will be in 2023, check out our forecast analysis.
Author  Mitrade
Mar 13, 2023
The price of copper is affected by various of factors. You may wonder how the price of cooper will be in 2023, check out our forecast analysis.
placeholder
Understanding the first crypto market crash of 2024 and what to expect nextThe 365-day MVRV ratio suggests that this crash may be just the beginning. If the ETF is rejected before the second quarter of 2024, it could trigger a sharp correction.
Author  FXStreet
Jan 04, Thu
The 365-day MVRV ratio suggests that this crash may be just the beginning. If the ETF is rejected before the second quarter of 2024, it could trigger a sharp correction.
placeholder
Natural Gas sinks to pivotal level as China’s demand slumpsNatural Gas price (XNG/USD) edges lower and sinks to $2.56 on Monday, extending its losing streak for the fifth day in a row. The move comes on the back of China cutting its Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imports after prices rose above $3.0 in June. It
Author  FXStreet
Jul 01, Mon
Natural Gas price (XNG/USD) edges lower and sinks to $2.56 on Monday, extending its losing streak for the fifth day in a row. The move comes on the back of China cutting its Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imports after prices rose above $3.0 in June. It
placeholder
Australian Dollar remains solid following China PMI dataThe Australian Dollar (AUD) continues its winning streak for the third consecutive session on Monday.
Author  FXStreet
Sep 30, Mon
The Australian Dollar (AUD) continues its winning streak for the third consecutive session on Monday.
placeholder
BlackRock Declares Bitcoin The New ‘Gold Alternative’ – Here’s WhyBlackRock’s stance on cryptocurrencies—especially Bitcoin and Ethereum—has lately made headlines. While Ethereum is considered as a “technology bet,” the investment behemoth sees Bitcoin as a “gold alternative.”
Author  NewsBTC
21 hour ago
BlackRock’s stance on cryptocurrencies—especially Bitcoin and Ethereum—has lately made headlines. While Ethereum is considered as a “technology bet,” the investment behemoth sees Bitcoin as a “gold alternative.”
goTop
quote