Australian dollar (AUD) buoyed by RBA comments
The Australian dollar (AUD) ticked higher yesterday, following hawkish comments from Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter.
Hunter warned that inflation is likely to be higher than expected in the third quarter, suggesting interest rates may need to remain restrictive.
Australia’s latest jobs data is the focus for AUD investors today. An expected rise in unemployment could boost bets on another RBA rate cut and therefore weigh on the ‘Aussie’.
New Zealand dollar (NZD) struggles despite risk-on mood
The New Zealand dollar (NZD) was unable to gain ground yesterday despite an improvement in risk appetite, as concerns over the country’s economy continued to dampen NZD’s appeal.
Market-moving New Zealand data remains thin on the ground today, likely leaving the ‘kiwi’ to trade on market risk dynamics.
Pound (GBP) flat as markets await UK GDP
The pound (GBP) wavered yesterday as a lull in UK economic data left the currency without direction.
Sterling had stabilised following the previous day’s labour market release, with GBP investors hesitant to adjust their positions ahead of the upcoming UK GDP figures due out today.
With the UK economy expected to have grown just 0.1% in August, after stalling in July, the pound could weaken when the GDP data is published later this session.
Euro (EUR) quiet amid mixed output figures
The euro (EUR) also saw limited movement yesterday amid some mixed results from the Eurozone’s latest industrial production data.
Although output across the bloc fell 1.2% month on month in August, this was better than the expected 1.6% decline. In addition, production rose 1.1% on an annual basis.
The Eurozone’s trade figures for August might impact EUR today. An expected narrowing of the bloc’s trade surplus could weigh on the common currency.
US dollar (USD) ticks lower following Fed comments
The US dollar (USD) softened yesterday as a risk-on mood and dovish Federal Reserve interest rate expectations weighed on the ‘greenback’.
The downside came following comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell in the early hours of Wednesday morning, in which he kept the door open to further rate cuts.
Looking ahead, three more Federal Reserve policymakers are due to deliver speeches later tonight. Could a broadly dovish consensus drag the US dollar lower?
Canadian dollar (CAD) weakens amid BoC rate cut expectations
The crude-linked Canadian dollar (CAD) stumbled against its stronger rivals yesterday, amid Bank of Canada (BoC) rate cut bets and ongoing weakness in oil.
Canada’s latest business barometer could influence CAD exchange rates today, with another lacklustre reading potentially weighing on the ‘loonie’.
Data releases
10:30 AUD Unemployment Rate (Sep)
16:00 GBP GDP (Aug)
19:00 EUR Balance of Trade (Aug)
21:00 CAD CFIB Business Barometer (Oct)
23:00 GBP BoE Mann Speech
23:00 USD Fed Barr Speech
23:00 USD Fed Miran Speech
23:00 USD Fed Waller Speech