1Finance

AUD Hangs Hopes On US Dollar Exhaustion Amid Status-Quo RBA Bets

Fundamental Forecast for Australian Dollar: Neutral

• AUD/USD Recovers From Within Striking Distance Of 2014 Low
• Fundamental Backdrop Remains Unsupportive For Yield-Plays
• Hopes For A Recovery Hinge On Profit-Taking From USD Longs

AUD/USD faced another turbulent week with the currency staging a remarkable recovery after falling to within inches of its 2014 low. There was no shortage of intraday swings throughout the week on the back of surprises to local economic data. Yet follow-through proved difficult amid fairly well-anchored RBA policy bets.

Over the coming week local jobs data headlines the domestic economic docket. Despite last month’s bumper employment change print the Reserve Bank is unlikely to change its tune until more consistent progress is made in the local labour market. Alongside recent mixed domestic data the central bank is likely to reiterate its preference for a ‘period of stability’ for rates when it meets next week.

The stable rate outlook may leave the Aussie’s comparative yield advantage intact. Yet amid elevated implied volatility levels the ‘carry trade’ has become a much less attractive, and risky proposition. Moreover, the recent slide for risk-appetite benchmarks, including the S&P 500, indicates investors are seeking safety over yields. This in turn suggests the AUD may need to search elsewhere for a source of inspiration to generate a recovery.

While AUD/USD faces a less-than-supportive fundamental backdrop a consolidation for the pair should not be precluded. This is based on the prospect of profit-taking on US Dollar longs, which recently reached their highest on record according to COT futures data. After several strong successive weekly advances traders may be tempted to take some chips off the table.

From a technical standpoint, sellers are likely sitting at the psychologically-significant 90 US cent level, which could keep the currency capped over the near-term. Downside risks are centered on the 2014 low at 0.8660, which if broken may set the scene for a descent on the July ‘10 low at 0.8320.