|

Australian Dollar hits four-month low amid weak GDP data

The Australian dollar fell to a four-month low of 0.6450 against the US dollar on Wednesday, following disappointing GDP data that heightened expectations for potential interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).

The latest GDP figures revealed that Australia’s economy expanded by only 0.3% quarter-over-quarter in Q3, falling short of the anticipated 0.4% growth. Year-on-year, the growth rate was just 0.8%, significantly below the expected 1.0%. These figures have raised concerns on trading floors about the possible onset of a recession.

Despite the weak GDP report, expectations for the RBA’s upcoming December meeting remain unchanged. The consensus is that the central bank will hold rates steady while continuing to assess economic conditions. However, market sentiment regarding the medium-term monetary policy has shifted slightly, with a 30% likelihood of an RBA rate cut by February. Investors are increasingly betting on the possibility of adjustments by May.

Externally, the Australian dollar is facing additional pressure from a stronger US dollar, which continues to attract investors seeking safe-haven assets amid global economic uncertainties.

Technical analysis of AUD/USD

Chart

H4 chart: the AUD/USD pair has reached the target of its recent decline at 0.6490 and is now forming a growth structure towards 0.6480. A broad consolidation range may develop around this level. If the price breaks above this range, a rise to 0.6555 is anticipated. This bullish scenario is supported by the MACD indicator, with its signal line below zero but poised for an upward movement.

Chart

H1 chart: the market has nearly reached the primary target of the decline at 0.6490 and is expected to initiate a growth structure to 0.6485. A narrow consolidation range may form, and a breakout above this range could lead to an ascent towards 0.6555, followed by a potential retracement to 0.6480. Once this level is reached, another upward wave towards 0.6700 may be possible. The Stochastic oscillator supports this analysis, with its signal line currently below 20 but expected to climb sharply towards 80, indicating potential for upward momentum.

Author

Andrey Goilov

Andrey Goilov

RoboForex

Higher economic education. Andrey Goilov has been working on the Forex market since 2005. A financial analyst and successful trader. Preference in trading is highly volatile instruments.

More from Andrey Goilov
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans. 

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.