Daily Price Outlook
During the European trading session, the AUD/USD currency pair extended its bullish rally and remained well-bid around the 0.6376 level, hitting an intra-day high of 0.6380.
The bullish momentum was supported by strong Australian employment data, which showed a rise in jobs, boosting confidence in the economy.
Moreover, China’s decision to keep its interest rates steady provided further support, as Australia’s economy is closely tied to China due to trade relations. These factors helped the Aussie Dollar hold its gains against the US Dollar.
However, the upside for AUD/USD was limited as market sentiment turned cautious. Investors grew concerned over fresh tariff threats from former US President Donald Trump, raising fears of potential trade tensions.
Meanwhile, the latest FOMC minutes from January’s meeting signaled a cautious approach from the Federal Reserve, with officials hesitant about cutting interest rates too soon. This strengthened the US Dollar and kept AUD/USD from rising further.
At the same time, the US Dollar Index (DXY) hovered around 107.00, reflecting the USD’s resilience. US Treasury yields also remained elevated, with the 2-year note at 4.26% and the 10-year note at 4.52%, signaling strong demand for US assets.
These factors created a challenging environment for AUD/USD, keeping gains in check despite initial strength.
Stronger US Dollar and Trade Tensions Limit AUD/USD Gains
On the US front, the broad-based US Dollar remained strong, with the US Dollar Index (DXY) hovering around 107.00.
This strength was supported by high US Treasury yields, with the 2-year note at 4.26% and the 10-year note at 4.52%.
The steady demand for US assets kept the USD firm, making it difficult for the AUD/USD pair to extend its gains.
On the data front, the latest Federal Reserve (FOMC) Meeting Minutes confirmed that interest rates would remain unchanged for now. Policymakers stressed the need to monitor inflation, job growth, and economic activity before making any rate cuts.
Several Fed officials, including Austan Goolsbee and Mary Daly, noted that while inflation has eased, it is still too high for immediate policy changes. This cautious stance strengthened the USD, limiting upward movement in AUD/USD.
Apart from this, former US President Donald Trump confirmed a 25% tariff on pharmaceutical and semiconductor imports starting in April, along with maintaining auto tariffs at the same rate.
This raised concerns about global trade tensions, weighing on market sentiment. As a result, the AUD struggled to gain momentum despite earlier support from positive domestic employment data and China’s stable interest rate decision.
AUD/USD Struggles Amid RBA Rate Cut and US Trade Concerns
On the AUD front, the release of domestic employment data helped the Australian Dollar hold its gains against the US Dollar. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.1% in January from 4.0% in December, in line with expectations.
Meanwhile, employment increased by 44K jobs, higher than the forecast of 20K but lower than December’s revised 60K.
Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser stated that the labor market remains strong and that the central bank is closely monitoring inflation before making any major policy changes.
However, the AUD/USD pair faced pressure after the RBA unexpectedly cut its Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 4.10%, marking its first rate cut in four years.
RBA Governor Michele Bullock acknowledged the economic impact of high interest rates but warned that inflation remains a concern.
While markets expect further rate cuts, the RBA has not confirmed any future decisions, creating uncertainty for the AUD.
Furthermore, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) kept its Loan Prime Rates unchanged, providing limited support for the Aussie Dollar.
AUD/USD – Technical Analysis
AUD/USD is trading at $0.63623, down by 0.01%, reflecting a cautious market sentiment. The pair is currently holding above the key pivot point at $0.63343, indicating a potential rebound if support remains intact.
The 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $0.63172 is acting as dynamic support, reinforcing a cautiously bullish outlook. Immediate resistance is located at $0.64057, with a breakout above this level paving the way towards $0.64324 and $0.64606.
A successful move above $0.64057 could trigger renewed buying interest, pushing prices higher in the short term.
On the downside, initial support lies at $0.63067, with further safety nets at $0.62703 and $0.62331. A break below $0.63343 would shift the momentum to bearish, potentially triggering selling pressure towards the lower support levels.
The current price action suggests consolidation within a tight range, with traders awaiting a decisive breakout for directional clarity.
From a technical perspective, the bullish case is supported by the ascending trendline and the 50-day EMA. However, a failure to maintain support above $0.63343 could expose the pair to a corrective pullback.
For now, AUD/USD remains cautiously bullish, but a close watch on key support and resistance levels is advisable.
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