AUD/USD: Australian Dollar declines after May records
The AUD/USD currency pair is experiencing a drop, rolling back after yesterday's surge, when new local highs were reached since May 20, despite strengthening based on positive May data on the Australian labor market.
The employment rate in Australia increased by 39.7 thousand, continuing to grow after adding 37.4 thousand in April, which significantly exceeds analysts' expectations, which assumed an increase of 30.0 thousand Full-time employment increased by 41.7 thousand, despite the previous decrease of 7.6 thousand, while part-time employment decreased by 2.1 thousand, after an increase of 45.0 thousand in the previous month. The unemployment rate dropped from 4.1% to 4.0%. These impressive figures confirm the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) ability to ease monetary policy further.
Meanwhile, the US dollar is stabilizing after the average trading session: The US Federal Reserve, following its last meeting, left the key rate at 5.50%, but left the door open for a rate cut in 2024. New economic forecasts from the Fed show a potential one and a half rate cuts of 25 basis points by the end of this year, although market expectations hint at two such cuts. The latest US inflation data show a reduction in risks, which led to increased confidence among analysts in the possibility of the first rate cut in September. Core inflation, excluding the cost of food and energy resources, showed a slowdown to 3.4% per annum and to 0.2% on a monthly basis.
- Resistance levels: 0.6667, 0.6679, 0.6700, 0.6725.
- Support levels: 0.6646, 0.6622, 0.6600, 0.6578.
NZD/USD: Federal Reserve System confirmed the rate of 5.5% per annum
During the Asian trading session, the NZD/USD currency pair is observing a moderate decline, reaching the level of 0.6166, after having recorded highs since January 15 a day earlier. This happened against the background of data on consumer inflation in the United States and the results of the recent Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting.
At the last Fed meeting, the rate was kept at 5.5%. However, investors were particularly interested in the revised forecasts for the rate movement, which now show a decrease to 5.13% by the end of 2024, while previous estimates suggested a decrease to 4.60%. By the end of next year, it is expected to decrease to 4.13%, which is higher than the previously expected 3.90%. Current interest rate futures predict an even deeper decline of 46 basis points before the end of the year. At the same time, the May consumer price index showed a decrease from 3.4% to 3.3% in annual terms and from 0.3% to 0% on a monthly basis, while the base index decreased from 3.6% to 3.4%, which is lower than forecasts of 3.5%.
Weak national macroeconomic statistics also have a negative impact on the New Zealand dollar: the volume of retail sales carried out using electronic cards fell by 1.6% year-on-year in May after a decrease of 3.8% earlier, and decreased from -0.4% to -1.1% on a monthly basis.
- Resistance levels: 0.6175, 0.6200, 0.6221, 0.6250.
- Support levels: 0.6152, 0.6130, 0.6100, 0.6082.
Cryptocurrency market overview
The quotes of the SOL/USD pair continue to weaken, aiming for a support level around 145.00, which has developed since last summer.
The opinions of cryptocurrency market analysts differ: some experts suggest that the SEC's positive decision on applications for the creation of spot Ethereum ETFs may contribute to the launch of a similar fund based on Solana, which will support the growth of the value of SOL/USD. At the same time, other experts point to judicial decisions regarding the Coinbase and Kraken exchanges, where the SOL token was classified as a security, which may become an obstacle to its trading, although cases against Solana Labs have not been initiated.
During this period, the company is strengthening control over the activities of validators: 30 operators were excluded from the delegation program for violations, having lost the opportunity to receive rewards for participating in the verification of transactions in the blockchain. According to CoinDesk, some bots were used for manipulation on decentralized financial platforms. In March, in the wake of the surge in popularity of meme tokens on Solana, Jito Labs temporarily disabled the mempool to prevent "sandwich attacks", but then activity increased again in private pools. Tim Garcia, who oversees the work with validators at Solana, confirmed that the company will continue to combat abuse by identifying and terminating cooperation with operators involved in unfair practices.
- Resistance levels: 159.60, 183.40.
- Support levels: 145.20, 121.00.
Oil market overview
Brent Crude Oil prices are experiencing moderate growth, holding near the $82.00 per barrel mark.
This increase is supported by forecasts from the International Energy Agency (IEA), according to which global oil demand will reach 103.2 million barrels per day in 2024, which is 1 million barrels more than in 2023. In the following years, the agency expects further growth in demand: up to 104.2 million barrels in 2025 and up to 105.0 million barrels per day in 2026. In parallel, the IEA predicts an increase in capital investments in the development of extractive capacities: after $ 538.0 billion was invested in this area in 2023, it is expected that in 2024 these investments will increase by at least 7%. This is especially true for non-OPEC+ countries, such as the United States.
- Resistance levels: 82.90, 85.10.
- Support levels: 81.10, 78.30.