Australian Dollar Strengthens on Economic Data and Political Advances, US Dollar Under Pressure Before ISM Services PMI
Australian Dollar (AUD) continued to build strength against the US Dollar (USD) based on a mix of favorable economic data and political advances in Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s success in being re-elected with a second consecutive three-year term has lifted investors’ confidence, while inflation information such as the TD-MI Inflation Gauge and the Judo Bank Composite PMI exhibited ongoing economic growth. Moreover, a robust trade surplus and favourable retail sales were further bolstering the AUD. While that is happening, the US Dollar has come under pressure from markets waiting for the ISM Services PMI and weighing the role of President Trump’s position regarding Federal Reserve policies and global trade. With the AUD/USD pair trading close to five-month highs, the market continues to await future economic news and geopolitical events for additional guidance. KEY LOOKOUTS • The next US ISM Services PMI will be an important sign of economic wellbeing and may have an effect on the US Dollar direction. The market will be looking for surprises that can move market expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate policy. • Ongoing inflation pressures in Australia, such as the TD-MI Inflation Gauge and the Judo Bank Composite PMI, can shape the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) monetary policy actions in the future. Market expectations of an impending May rate cut might change pending these developments. • Continued trade negotiations and future tensions between the US and China may bear down on the Australian Dollar, considering Australia’s close trading relationships with China. Any intensification of trade tensions would be detrimental to AUD sentiment. • Re-election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may have an impact on economic policy, including cost-of-living relief, support for renewable energy, and tax cuts. These actions may, however, contribute to inflationary pressure, which will influence the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy easing room. Australian Dollar (AUD) is set for further strength due to favorable economic indicators and the political stability delivered by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s re-election. These key indicators to look out for are the US ISM Services PMI, which may decide the direction of the US Dollar, and Australian inflation pressures, which may drive the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) interest-rate approach. As well, continuing US-China trade tensions are on high alert status for the AUD due to Australian dependence on trade with China. Albanese’s second term may bring about fresh economic policies, like cost-of-living assistance and tax reductions, although these policies are likely to drive inflation, impacting monetary policy in the future. Investors will be watching closely these events for more information on the AUD/USD forecast. Australian Dollar is strengthening on a backdrop of favorable economic data and Prime Minister Albanese’s re-election, with inflationary pressure and possible US-China trade tensions continuing to pose the biggest risks. Markets will remain attentive to the US ISM Services PMI and the RBA’s reaction to changing economic fundamentals for further guidance. • The AUD is appreciating against the US Dollar, buoyed by good economic news and political stability after Prime Minister Albanese’s re-election. • Albanese’s second term in office guarantees a responsible government with an agenda of cost-of-living relief, renewable energy, and healthcare, which may affect inflation. • The TD-MI Inflation Gauge and the Judo Bank Composite PMI point to accelerating inflation and ongoing economic growth, which could affect the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) policy. • Australia’s high trade surplus, rising exports, and growth in retail sales add to the positive AUD sentiment, even though retail sales did not meet expectations. • The coming US ISM Services PMI will be important in deciding the direction of the US Dollar and might influence Federal Reserve policy expectations. • Persistent trade tensions and trade negotiations between China and the US might harm the AUD, as Australia has close economic relations with China. • Markets are anticipating a possible 25-basis-point rate reduction by the RBA in May, driven by both domestic economic conditions and international drivers such as US tariffs, ignoring inflationary pressures. Australian Dollar has been strengthened by upbeat economic news and political stability as a result of the re-election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. His election has lifted investor optimism with the pledge of a government committed to tackling cost-of-living, renewable energy, and prioritizing health and tax cuts. These policies, as much as they are good for the people, may also generate inflationary pressures and hinder the Reserve Bank of Australia in reducing interest rates in the near term. AUD/USD DAILY CHART PRICE CHART SOURCE: TradingView In addition to political stability, economic figures for Australia have also been positive. The nation experienced a strong trade surplus as well as an increase in retail sales, although this fell slightly short of projections. With inflationary pressures building, the Australian economy continues to grow, underpinned by upbeat business attitudes as well as robust export performance. Meanwhile, external factors such as the US’s stance on trade with China and the possible effect of future US economic reports may also dictate global market sentiment, making the performance of AUD an interest to monitor in the next few weeks. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS The AUD/USD pair is holding a bullish inclination, trading near 0.6460 and staying above the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), indicating continued upward momentum. The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is still well above 50, further affirming the robustness of the prevailing trend. On the higher side, the pair may reach the five-month high of 0.6515, while the psychological mark of 0.6600 is also possible. The initial support comes in the form of the nine-day EMA at 0.6408, followed by the 50-day EMA at 0.6326. A break below these levels could undermine the bullish forecast, leaving the pair vulnerable to lower levels like 0.5914, the lowest level since March 2020. FORECAST Australian Dollar can be anticipated to continue its rally in the near term, potentially reaching the five-month high of 0.6515. Positive economic data from Australia, such as robust trade figures, retail sales, and ongoing growth in business activity, form a strong basis for further