On Monday, AUD/USD showed a moderate decline, developing a strong downtrend that formed by the end of last week. Now the quotes are approaching the level of 0.6380, feeling pressure against the background of macroeconomic data from China.
In November, China's annual inflation slowed to 0.2% (0.5% was expected), and the monthly price decline was 0.6% against the projected 0.4%. The producer price index decreased by 2.5%, which turned out to be better than expected.
Investors are taking a wait-and-see attitude ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meeting, which will be held tomorrow at 05:30 GMT+2. According to analysts, the Australian labor market will remain stable until mid-2024, supporting inflation. In this scenario, the RBA is likely to keep the current rate at 4.35%, but the regulator's rhetoric may turn out to be tougher regarding the prospects for monetary policy. Despite the decrease in inflation to 2.8% in the previous quarter, the slow economic growth of the country may eventually push the regulator to monetary expansion.
On Thursday, Australia will present the November labor market report. Employment is expected to grow from 15.9 thousand to 25.0 thousand, while the unemployment rate may rise from 4.1% to 4.2%.
The US dollar continues to show strength after the publication of employment data for November. The US economy added 227 thousand jobs (the forecast was 200 thousand), wages increased by 0.4% monthly and 4% annually, and unemployment rose to 4.2%. According to the CME Group, the probability of a Fed rate cut at the December 17-18 meeting reached 87%.
AUD/USD Technical analysis for today
Technical analysis by John Murphy shows an active decline. Bollinger bands are expanding, signaling volatility, but they are still lagging behind market dynamics. The MACD indicator retains a sell signal, and the Stochastic is approaching the oversold zone, which increases the risks of a short-term AUD recovery.
Trading recommendations
- Sale. After breaking down the 0.6372 level, we open short positions with a target of 0.6250. Stop loss at 0.6430.
- Buy. With a rebound from 0.6372 and an upward breakout of 0.6420, we move to long positions with a target of 0.6500. Stop loss: 0.6372.