The Aussie Dollar's Rise: Reading Between RBA's Lines
17 October 2023
Welcome to Tuesday's analysis, a fresh start to the week where we've already observed some captivating shifts in the macroeconomic landscape. As many traders were just settling into their routines, New Zealand released its inflation data. The numbers, while only slightly off the mark, came in at 1.8%, a tad lower than the anticipated 1.9%.
Earlier today, the Reserve Bank of Australia offered a glimpse into their monetary stance via their meeting minutes. The essence of their discussion pointed to a few key takeaways. Firstly, the RBA, while deliberating on the path ahead, felt the pause button was apt, given the recent moves in the Australian dollar. Furthermore, they voiced concerns about the challenges brewing in the Chinese economy, anticipating it might act as a speed breaker for Australia's growth trajectory. Another point of discussion was the inflation scenario. RBA members candidly acknowledged the looming upside risks to inflation, a subject that's been causing ripples in global financial corridors.
Looking at the currency sphere, the Australian dollar proudly wears the crown of the day's strongest contender. However, its counterpart, the New Zealand dollar, is languishing at the other end, making for an intriguing dynamic in the antipodes.
Shifting our gaze to the American dollar, we notice a mild uptick, which serves as a contrast to yesterday's performance. Then, it shared the weakest currency title alongside safe havens like the Japanese yen and Swiss franc, indicating a correction phase for these typical risk-off currencies.
On the equities front, indices painted a bullish canvas. A prime example would be the Dow Jones, soaring to its monthly zenith. With this momentum in place, it's worth monitoring if the bull run will stay the course throughout the week.
In the commodities corner, while there was a hint of bearishness yesterday, the overarching buy sentiment on oil and precious metals remains unfazed. And for those eyeing the calendar, a busy day awaits. Key data from the UK, Canada, and the US are yet to roll out, promising to keep traders on their toes.