EUR/AUD: Australia's economic indicators have reduced pressure on the euro
The EUR/AUD pair is trading at 1.6627 on the morning of September 5, showing a slight increase of about 0.01% compared to the previous trading session. Market activity remains relatively stable despite the volatility caused by external macroeconomic data.
The economic situation in the eurozone continues to be unstable. The index of business activity in the services sector (PMI) in August amounted to 47.9 points, which is lower than forecasts and indicates a slowdown in economic activity. At the same time, GDP data for the second quarter showed an increase of 0.3%, which is in line with analysts' expectations. The continued pressure on the eurozone economy is due to rising energy prices and the consequences of geopolitical instability.
The Australian economy is also facing challenges. Recent retail sales data showed a decrease in the growth rate from 0.5% to 0.4%, indicating weakness in domestic demand. Despite this, the labor market remains stable, and the unemployment rate is at 3.6%. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) did not change the interest rate at the last meeting, keeping it at 4.1%, however, the head of the RBA announced the possibility of further tightening monetary policy in the event of a deterioration in the inflationary situation.
- Resistance levels: 1.0850, 1.0940.
- Support levels: 1.0800, 1.0720.
NZD/USD: a tool on the way to corrective growth
The NZD/USD pair shows a slight increase, continuing to develop a weak upward momentum, which was formed after recovering from local lows reached on August 23. Now the instrument is trying to break through the 0.6200 mark, while market participants are waiting for the publication of important data on the US labor market, which will take place at the end of the week. Today at 14:15 (GMT+2), a report from ADP on private sector employment for August will be presented. If the forecasts come true and the employment rate will rise from 122.0 thousand. up to 145.0 thousand, the US dollar may receive additional support, which will reduce the likelihood of softening the Fed's rhetoric at the September meeting.
This week, investors also paid attention to the dairy product price index, a key export item of New Zealand. In August, the indicator decreased by 0.4% after an increase of 5.5% in July. Additionally, data on the ANZ commodity price index was published, which increased by 2.1% after falling by 1.7% in the previous month.
Markets continue to analyze the next steps of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), which recently cut the interest rate by 25 basis points, which happened a little earlier than expected. This decision has caused optimism among businesses and consumers, strengthening confidence in the economic recovery. According to the regulator's forecasts, by the middle of next year the rate may fall below 4.50%. According to Centrix, the level of mortgage delinquency remains 12.0% higher than last year, but there is a positive trend against the background of lower borrowing costs, which contributes to the correction of consumer spending. Despite the recent rate hike, New Zealand house prices remain 19.0% below the November 2021 peak, less than half of the more than 40.0% increase during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Resistance levels: 0.6200, 0.6221, 0.6254, 0.6300.
- Support levels: 0.6177, 0.6153, 0.6130, 0.6100.
USD/JPY: the Bank of Japan noted moderate growth rates
The USD/JPY pair remains near the minimum recorded on August 5 at 143.50, while market activity remains subdued, as investors await the publication of data on the American labor market.
Statistics from Japan continue to show mixed results. In July, the wage level fell from 4.5% to 3.6%, which exceeded forecasts of 3.1%, but this may put pressure on inflation, which the Bank of Japan focuses on when developing monetary policy. The index of business activity in the services sector remained at 53.7 points, below the expected 54.0 points, and the composite index rose from 52.5 to 52.9 points, falling short of the projected 53.0 points.
Hajime Takata, a member of the Board of the Bank of Japan, noted that the Japanese economy is recovering at a moderate pace, despite the volatility in the markets in August. According to him, the country continues to move towards achieving the inflation target, and import prices are also rising. Takata added that the current real interest rate remains below the calculated one, which indicates favorable conditions for monetary policy. Experts expect that the Bank of Japan may raise the interest rate again by the end of the year.
- Resistance levels: 144.00, 145.00, 146.00, 147.00.
- Support levels: 143.35, 142.50, 141.68, 141.00.
Silver market analysis
During the Asian session, the XAG/USD (silver) pair demonstrates multidirectional dynamics, remaining near the level of 28.25. On the eve of the quotes were adjusted, retreating from the lows recorded on August 15. The main pressure on the price is exerted by the revision of short- and medium-term strategies of investors in response to large-scale stock sales, which also affected commodity markets.
The activity of market participants remains low in anticipation of the publication of key data on the US labor market, scheduled for the end of the week. These data may influence the Federal Reserve's decision on future monetary policy at the September meeting. The baseline scenario assumes a reduction in the interest rate by 25 basis points, but the probability of a more significant reduction by 50 basis points is estimated at no higher than 35.0%. The number of new jobs outside the agricultural sector is expected to grow from 114.0 thousand. up to 160.0 thousand, and the average hourly wage will increase from 0.2% to 0.3% on a monthly basis and from 3.6% to 3.7% on an annual basis. The unemployment rate is expected to decrease from 4.3% to 4.2%. Weaker data may increase the likelihood of a change in the monetary exchange rate, which will support the asset.
- Resistance levels: 28.30, 28.68, 29.00, 29.35.
- Support levels: 28.00, 27.60, 27.30, 27.00.