Australian Dollar depreciates as the US Dollar gains ground due to safe-haven flows

• The Australian Dollar gained ground as the RBA Meeting Minutes emphasized the importance of maintaining a restrictive monetary policy.
• The PBoC's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to maintain the current interest rate at 3.1% for November.
• The US Dollar receives support from safe-haven flows amid escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Australian Dollar (AUD) remains steady against the US Dollar (USD) on Wednesday, following the People’s Bank of China’s (PBoC) interest rate decision. The PBoC's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) opted to keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.1% for November.

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated that "tumbling iron ore prices and a softening labor market have impacted government revenue." following his Ministerial Statement on the economy on Wednesday. Chalmers outlined Australia's tough fiscal outlook, citing the weakening of China, a key trading partner, and the slowdown in the job market as contributing factors.

The AUD/USD pair may face downward pressure as the US Dollar (USD) gains ground on safe-haven flows amid escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to a Reuters report late Tuesday, Ukraine deployed US-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time, signaling a significant escalation on the 1,000th day of the conflict. However, market concerns eased slightly after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the government would "do everything possible" to prevent the outbreak of nuclear war.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) November Meeting Minutes indicated that the central bank’s board remains cautious about the potential for inflation to rise further, emphasizing the need for restrictive monetary policy. Board members also indicate no "immediate need" to adjust the cash rate, though they left the door open for future changes, noting that nothing can be ruled in or out.

The US Dollar (USD) appreciates as investors anticipate pro-inflationary policies from the incoming Trump administration, including tax cuts and higher tariffs. These measures could elevate inflation, possibly influencing the Federal Reserve to slow the pace of rate cuts.

The Australian Dollar holds ground following PBoC interest rate decision

• Jeffrey Schmid, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, stated on Tuesday that he expects both inflation and employment to move closer to the Fed's targets. Schmid explained that rate cuts signal the Fed's confidence in inflation trending toward its 2% goal. He also noted that while large fiscal deficits won't necessarily drive inflation, the Fed may need to counteract potential pressures with higher interest rates.
• An official from China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) stated on Tuesday that the country has "ample policy room and tools to support economic recovery." The official expressed confidence in China's economic trajectory, anticipating that the recovery momentum will persist through November and December. Any change in the Chinese economy could impact the Australian markets as both nations are close trade partners.
• Fed Chair Jerome Powell downplayed the likelihood of imminent rate cuts, highlighting the economy's resilience, robust labor market, and persistent inflationary pressures. Powell remarked, "The economy is not sending any signals that we need to be in a hurry to lower rates."
• On Friday, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee stated that markets often overreact to changes in interest rates. Goolsbee emphasized the importance of the Fed adopting a cautious, gradual approach in moving toward the neutral rate.
• Meanwhile, Boston Fed President Susan Collins tempered expectations for continued rate cuts in the near term while maintaining market confidence in a potential rate reduction in December. Collins stated, "I don't see a big urgency to lower rates, but I want to preserve a healthy economy."
• Last week, RBA Governor Michele Bullock emphasized that current interest rates are sufficiently restrictive and will remain unchanged until the central bank is confident about the inflation outlook.
• US Retail Sales increased by 0.4% month-over-month in October, exceeding the market consensus of 0.3%. Additionally, the NY Empire State Manufacturing Index for November posted an unexpected surge, coming in at 31.2 compared to the anticipated 0.7 decline, signaling robust manufacturing activity.
• China’s Retail Sales rose by 4.8% year-over-year in October, surpassing the expected 3.8% and the 3.2% increase seen in September. Meanwhile, Industrial Production grew by 5.3% YoY, below the forecasted 5.6% and the 5.4% growth recorded in the previous period.

Technical Analysis: Australian Dollar surpasses nine-day EMA to approach 0.6550

AUD/USD traded near 0.6530 on Wednesday. Technical analysis of the daily chart indicates a continued decline within a descending channel pattern, underscoring a bearish outlook. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is below the 50 mark, further validating the prevailing bearish sentiment.

In terms of support, the AUD/USD pair may approach the lower boundary of the descending channel at the 0.6380 level. A decisive break below the descending channel could amplify selling pressure, potentially driving the pair toward its yearly low of 0.6348, last recorded on August 5.

On the upside, a breach above the nine-day EMA at 0.6525 weakens the bearish bias and supports the AUD/USD pair to test the 14-day EMA at 0.6543 level further. Surpassing this level could pave the way for a rally toward the four-week high of 0.6687 level.

AUD/USD: Daily Chart