Reserve Bank of Australia, Australian Dollar, AUD/USD Talking Points
- Reserve Bank of Australia holds rates steady at 0.1%, as expected
- Bond purchases and term funding facility remain unchanged
- AUD/USD ticked marginally higher after the report crossed the wires
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept its cash rate unchanged at 0.1% along with its 3-year bond yield target, as widely expected. Although economic conditions have picked up in Australia since its last interest rate decision, RBA policymakers appear to be holding firm to supportive monetary conditions. The Australian Dollar moved marginally higher against the Greenback to the decision crossing the wires, with AUD/USD remaining slightly weaker on the day.
AUD/USD 3-Min Chart
Chart created with TradingView
In line with other major central banks, the RBA’s dovish outlook on policy appears likely to continue for some time. RBA Governor Philip Lowe has tamed market expectations in recent months that the bank may prematurely tighten policy. That sentiment appears to remain firm despite recent upbeat economic data and some easing in bond market volatility. Covid-19 and its global economic impacts remain the most significant risk to the outlook. The housing sector continues to see strength, bolstered by first-time homebuyers as low rates encourage buyers.
Domestically, Australia’s Covid situation has been largely unconcerning relative to other major economies. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a quarantine-free travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday. The travel corridor between the two neighboring nations is set to start April 18. The Australian economy saw an Easter holiday with zero locally sources Covid infections.
While subject to restrictions, such as travel-linked virus transmission, the move signals a reopening between the two commodity-driven economies. The opened travel avenue may help spur some additional economic activity in the Australian economy. Australia’s labor market has reached pre-pandemic levels when viewing total job holders.
The RBA policy statement highlights the unemployment rate, which dropped to 5.8% in February. Still, the expiration of the country’s jobseekers program will likely harm the overall labor market moving forward. Moreover, wage and price pressures continue to lag, according to the policy statement, and will remain to do so “for some years.” That said, the cash rate will be held at 0.10% until the 2-3% target range is achieved for a sustained period per the RBA statement.
AUD/USD Technical Outlook
AUD/USD moved higher to start the week but gave away a portion of those gains heading into the RBA statement. The neckline of a Head and Shoulders pattern has held, with prices appearing to find support at the level through the last several weeks. Currently, prices are gyrating around the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA).
The currency pair’s MACD line looks close to making a cross above its signal line, which may help guide prices higher in the coming days if completed. The relative Strength Index (RSI) is trending near its midpoint, just under the 50 mark. Overall, the Australian Dollar will need to climb above a trendline from the February swing high to reestablish a bullish footing on a technical basis.
AUD/USD Daily Chart
Chart created with TradingView
AUD/USD TRADING RESOURCES
— Written by Thomas Westwater, Analyst for DailyFX.com
To contact Thomas, use the comments section below or @FxWestwateron Twitter
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