Forex News

Here is what you need to know for Tuesday, August 4:

Oil prices fell sharply on Monday amid growing expectations that talks between the US and Iran will resume soon. US President Donald Trump stated that conversations are underway after Tehran said it had no plans for direct negotiations.

The US Dollar Index (DXY) rises around 0.1% and trades near 99.90, holding just below the 100.00 threshold. The ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index climbed to 55.6 in July from 53.3, comfortably above the 54 forecast, while the New Orders Index improved to 56.7. The Prices Paid component eased to 71.1 from 73, remaining deep in expansion territory and suggesting cost pressures persist despite some moderation.

EUR/USD declines around 0.2% and trades near 1.1510, giving back part of last week's advance as the firmer ISM print lifted US Treasury yields. The pair continues to hold above the 1.1500 handle, with the broader recovery structure intact.

GBP/USD falls around 0.4% and settles near 1.3430, the weakest performer among the European majors. Cable retreats from the multi-week highs reached after the Bank of England's hawkish hold, with no domestic catalysts to offset the Dollar's rebound.

USD/JPY drops around 0.4% and trades near 156.90, extending the decline that followed last week's intervention and the Bank of Japan's hawkish hold. The pair's inability to recover alongside the wider Greenback advance underlines how reluctant investors remain to rebuild Yen-short positions while Japanese authorities keep the threat of further operations alive.

AUD/USD slides around 0.5% to near 0.6990, slipping back below the 0.7000 psychological level. The Australian Dollar (AUD) leads losses among the majors, pressured by the softer commodity complex and the firmer Greenback.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Oil plunges around 7.4% and trades near $78 per barrel, one of the sharpest single-session declines this year. The prospect of negotiations between Washington and Tehran prompted traders to unwind supply-disruption hedges accumulated during the escalation of hostilities.

Gold (XAU/USD) edges around 0.2% higher and trades near $4,052 per troy ounce, holding above the $4,000 mark. The metal shrugs off the stronger Dollar as investors keep defensive exposure in place while the outcome of the Iran talks remains unresolved.

On Tuesday, the Asia-Pacific session carries the heaviest load. New Zealand publishes second-quarter labor market data, with the Unemployment Rate expected to rise to 5.4% from 5.3% and Employment Change seen slowing to 0.1% from 0.2%, while the Labor Cost Index is forecast to accelerate to 0.6% QoQ. Australia releases the final S&P Global Services and Composite PMIs, both expected to be confirmed at 53 and 52.6 respectively, alongside the AiG Industry Index.

Japan will publish Labor Cash Earnings, forecast to accelerate to 3.4% YoY in June from 3.2%, a reading that carries added weight given the Bank of Japan's emphasis on the wage-price cycle. The BoJ will also release the Minutes of its June policy meeting, which investors will scan for early evidence of the hawkish shift that surfaced in last week's vote split. China closes the session with the RatingDog Services PMI, seen easing to 53.7 from 54.1.

Earlier in the day, Canada releases the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI, expected at 50.2 after 53 in June. In the United States, Factory Orders are forecast to rebound 0.2% MoM in June from a 1.3% contraction, while JOLTS Job Openings are seen easing to 7.45 million from 7.594 million ahead of Wednesday's ADP report.

• USD/MXN slips as carry appeal supports Mexican Peso demand.
• Mexico GDP rebounded strongly, driven by household consumption and welfare programs.
• Banxico hold bets rise as inflation forecasts move lower.

The Mexican Peso (MXN) gains ground against the US Dollar (USD) on Monday as risk appetite increases the carry-trade appeal of the emerging-market currency, while traders await the release of the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) monetary policy meeting later this week. The USD/MXN pair trades at 17.32, down 0.14%.

USD/MXN falls on improved risk appetite; Mexico’s stronger growth expectations

Last week, Mexico’s economic docket showed that the economy, in its preliminary reading for the second quarter, grew above estimates, as reported by the National Statistics agency. Mexico’s GDP expanded by 1.5% QoQ in Q2, up from a -0.6% contraction in Q1 2026. The recovery was remarkable, supported by household consumption as the principal engine of growth and by welfare social programs, according to Moody’s Analytics.

This week, the Mexican economic calendar is moderate, with traders awaiting Consumer Confidence data on Tuesday, followed by Banxico’s Interest Rate Decision on Thursday. Data from Prime Terminal shows an 88% chance of a hold at 6.50%, and a slim 12% chance of a hike at the next meeting.

Economists expect a stronger economy in Mexico

Banxico released its private economists' survey, with the majority trimming their inflation forecasts for the current year and raising GDP projections. Inflation is seen to end at 4% in 2026, down from 4.2% in June, while core inflation is also projected to dip from 4.18% to 4%. The economy is expected to grow from 1.10% to 1.20%, while the USD/MXN exchange rate is foreseen to remain stable at 17.88.

Across the northern border, the US economy continues to be driven by geopolitical issues related to the US-Iran war. Although hostilities paused, talks remained the same, as CBS News reported, citing US officials.

Data-wise, business activity in the manufacturing sector in the US improved according to July’s ISM Manufacturing PMI. The PMI improved from 53.3 to 55.6, exceeding estimates of 54 and hinting that companies are hiring, while the prices paid sub-component suggests that input costs remain high.

The US schedule will feature jobs data, led by the ADP Employment Change, the job openings survey, jobless claims and the July Nonfarm Payrolls report, on Friday.

USD/MXN Price Forecast: Technical outlook

In the daily chart, USD/MXN trades at 17.3198, extending its pullback and maintaining a bearish near-term bias as spot holds below the clustered simple moving averages (SMA) pack, whose latest reading stands at 17.4158. The pair also remains under a nearer descending resistance trend line coming from 18.1651, last interacted around 17.5456, while the Relative Strength Index (14) at 42.24 drifts toward the lower half of its range, hinting at persistent but not yet oversold downside pressure.

On the topside, initial resistance is located at the SMA cluster around 17.4158, with the aforementioned descending trend-line barrier near 17.5456 reinforcing the cap ahead of a more distant structural hurdle at 18.1200 along the longer-term downtrend line. With no meaningful support levels defined by the current indicator set beneath spot, the pair would need to reclaim 17.4158 first to ease immediate bearish pressure and then challenge 17.5456 to open a more sustained recovery phase.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)

• Gold slips amid strong US data and Dollar recovery.
• Trump keeps Hormuz blockade in place until Iran signs deal.
• Strong ISM data complicates Fed outlook before key jobs reports.

Gold (XAU/USD) price retreats on Monday as the US Dollar (USD) recovers some ground, even though hostilities in the Middle East paused at the request of Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, according to US President Donald Trump. The XAU/USD pair trades at $4,037, down 0.12%.

XAU/USD retreats on geopolitical uncertainty, stronger US factory activity; Fed repricing

The Greenback has bounced off month-and-a-half lows reached earlier in the session, following an intervention in the FX markets by US and Japanese authorities, which propelled the Japanese Yen. Meanwhile, geopolitics is pushing US economic data to the backseat, as Trump crosses the wires.

He said that “Iran conflict is working out very well,” though added that Iran’s leadership is duplicitous, asking for talks, but publicly states that they’re not having discussions. Trump added that the US Navy blockade will stay in place until Iran signs a deal which includes to never having a nuclear weapon and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.

Recently, the US President added: “I’m not going to let Iran charge to go through Hormuz Strait.”

On the data front, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), reported that the Manufacturing Purchasers Managers Index (PMI) in July expanded at the highest pace in four years, with the PMI improving from 53.3 to 55.6, crushing forecasts of 54. The employment sub-component in companies rose for the first time since 2023, although prices paid suggest input costs still remain high.

The report showed sustained demand, clarity on tariffs, and the dissipation of supply disruptions related to the Gulf War, which increased demand in the jobs market.

Meanwhile, the dip in Oil prices triggered a repricing for a less hawkish Federal Reserve. Investors expect 22 basis points of tightening towards the end of 2026, according to Prime Terminal data.

However, uncertainty in the US-Iran conflict remains high. A jump in energy prices could open the door to higher interest rates, which could prompt a repricing toward a more hawkish Fed.

At the last Fed meeting, three members dissented, opting for a 25-basis-point rate hike. They explained that delaying higher borrowing costs could keep inflation above the Fed's 2% target.

Recently, New York Fed President John Williams said the central bank was ready to tighten policy if inflation pressures did not ease.

This week, the US economic docket will feature a series of US jobs reports, including the ADP National Employment Change, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), jobless claims, and the Nonfarm Payrolls report.

XAU/USD technical outlook: Gold trades above/below $4,050, directionless

Gold continues to move sideways after falling below the $4,100 level since mid-last week. Bullish momentum has faded, and the downside is evident in the Relative Strength Index (RSI).

The RSI, although bearish – below its 50-neutral level, shifted flattish after edging lower, an indication that neither buyers nor sellers are opening fresh directional bets.

Nevertheless, the market structure of a successive series of lower highs and lower lows, and Gold prices trading below the 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA), suggest that further downside is seen in the short term.

Downwards, the first support is the July 24 low of $4,022. A break below this level could open the door to the key psychological level of $4,000 and the June 17 daily low of $3,959. 

For a bullish continuation, buyers need to push back above $4,100, targeting the July 22 high of $4,165, with the possibility of testing the 50-day Simple Moving Average near $4,185. The next resistance sits at the July 6 peak of $4,202.

United States (US) President Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington is currently holding talks with Iran, adding that the discussions are taking place at Tehran's request and describing them as a final opportunity for the Islamic Republic.

Key quotes

Iran conflict is working out very well.

Iran talks are going on now.

We are talking at request of Iran.

This is a last chance for Iran."

• The US Dollar Index recovers toward 100 as strong US manufacturing data supports the Greenback.
• Markets weigh mixed US-Iran headlines alongside the Fed monetary policy outlook.
• Upcoming US labour data could shape expectations for the Fed’s September decision.

The US Dollar Index (DXY) stages a modest comeback on Monday as stronger-than-expected US manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data and uncertainty over US-Iran talks help the Greenback stabilize following last week’s sell-off, triggered by joint intervention from Washington and Tokyo to support the Japanese Yen (JPY).

At the time of writing, DXY trades around 100, recovering from an intraday low of 99.42, its weakest level since June 15.

The Greenback opened the week on the back foot after US President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he had called off a planned strike on Iran, with negotiations expected to begin on Monday. Sentiment quickly shifted after Iran denied holding talks with Washington.

Later in a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Iran’s leadership of being “duplicitous.” He also claimed that the US Navy controls the Strait of Hormuz and warned that the blockade would stay in place until Iran agrees to a deal or surrenders.

The hardline rhetoric from both sides casts doubt on the prospect of direct talks in the near term, keeping defensive demand for the US Dollar alive. However, uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy path could limit the Greenback’s recovery.

Strategists at Brown Brothers Harriman argue that “the USD rally from May has run its course,” with the DXY “poised to retreat back into a 96.00-100.00 range.” While the bank acknowledges that “the tailwind to USD from resilient US economic activity” remains in place, they contend it is being increasingly offset by “Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's failure to turn tough inflation rhetoric into a credible policy,” undermining the policy backdrop that had previously supported the Dollar.

On the data front, the US ISM Manufacturing PMI rose to 55.6 in July from 53.3 in June, beating the market forecast of 54 and reaching its highest level since May 2022.

Attention now turns to this week's US labor market data for fresh clues on whether the Fed will raise interest rates in September. The CME FedWatch Tool shows markets pricing in around a 60% chance of a hike.

• US ISM Manufacturing PMI beat forecasts, supporting renewed US Dollar demand.
• UK fiscal concerns weigh as Burnham government seeks budget cuts.
• Iran talks ease Oil prices, tempering central-bank tightening expectations.

The Pound Sterling (GBP) retreats some 0.27% on Monday as the Greenback recovers some ground amid a pause in US strikes on Iran, while both parties are expected to resume negotiations aimed at securing a rapid deal. The GBP/USD pair trades at 1.3439, after reaching a daily high of 1.3506.

GBP/USD retreats as stronger US ISM Manufacturing PMI, UK fiscal concerns and easing Oil prices shape sentiment

The US Dollar (USD) remains stable as business activity in the manufacturing sector improved at its fastest pace since 2022. The ISM Manufacturing PMI for July improved from 53.3 to 55.6, exceeding estimates of 54. The employment sub-component in companies increased for the first time since 2023, while prices paid indicated that input costs remain elevated.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the buck’s value against a basket of six currencies, is up 0.14% to 99.94. The Greenback leaked its wounds after two days of intervention in the FX markets to propel the Japanese Yen (JPY), according to Japanese and US authorities.

In the UK, investors are keenly digesting the fiscal policy of the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The Chancellor, John Healey, told cabinet ministers to make cuts to their budgets, as the new government scrambled to fulfill spending commitments made ahead of taking office.

Aside from this, geopolitics continues to make its rounds after US President Donald Trump halted attacks on Iran, at the request of Tehran and other Middle East countries. Recently, CBS News reported that no “new” negotiations are planned; it's the usual talks between Washington and Tehran, conducted through mediators, according to sources.

This eased Oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude benchmark, down over 8.40%, below $80 a barrel.

Meanwhile, expectations that major central banks – particularly the Fed and the Bank of England (BoE) – will increase rates eased. The US central bank is projected to tighten policy by 22 basis points, while the BoE is foreseen to raise rates once by the end of the year, according to Prime Terminal data.

GBP/USD Price Forecast: Technical outlook

In the daily chart, GBP/USD trades at 1.3428, holding a mildly bullish near-term bias as it stays above the cluster of simple moving averages (SMA) around 1.3363. Price is now testing the area just beneath the downward resistance trend line, which breaks at 1.3449, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 54.5 suggests steady, non-overbought momentum that could allow for further upside as long as the pair defends its SMA support.

On the topside, immediate resistance is located at the descending trend-line break level of 1.3449, with a subsequent barrier emerging at the prior upward support trend-line break around 1.3551. On the downside, the key technical floor is provided by the grouped 50-, 100- and 200-period SMAs near 1.3363, where a daily close below would weaken the current constructive tone and expose a deeper corrective phase.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)

(This story was corrected on July 3 at 17:11 GMT to say that June's ISM Manufacturing PMI print was 53.3, not 53.5.)

• USD/JPY consolidates near the 156.90 zone on Monday as intervention keeps the Japanese Yen underpinned.
• Investors await the Bank of Japan Minutes for clues on how widely the hawkish shift has spread across the board.
• The US ADP Employment Change is expected to slow to 70K in July from 98K previously, testing the resilience of the Greenback.

USD/JPY trades with a soft tone near the 156.90 area on Monday as the Japanese Yen (JPY) holds the bulk of the gains secured at the end of last week, when intervention by Japanese authorities and a relatively hawkish Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy announcement triggered a sharp unwind in the pair.

Speculation that officials remain active in the market continues to cap attempts at recovery. Japanese authorities have offered no confirmation of last week's operation, but several news outlets reported the invention last Friday based on interviews with sources close to the BoJ. Ministry of Finance officials have limited their commentary to warnings that excessive, one-sided moves are undesirable and that they stand ready to act against disorderly conditions. That deliberate ambiguity is keeping traders reluctant to rebuild large Yen-short positions, with liquidity thinning around the figure levels where intervention is suspected to have been executed.

Attention now turns to the release of the BoJ Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes during the Asian session on Wednesday, which covers the June gathering and precedes both the intervention episode and last week's rate decision. While the document is dated, investors will scrutinize it for evidence that the hawkish tilt seen in the latest vote split was already building within the board. Any indication that a wider group of members had begun flagging upside inflation risks would strengthen the case for a follow-up rate increase and provide the Yen with an additional pillar of support.

The BoJ left its short-term rate unchanged at 1.00% last week in an 8–1 vote, with Governor Kazuo Ueda signaling that the central bank could accelerate the pace of tightening and would avoid falling behind the inflation curve. Markets have since brought forward the expected timing of the next hike, narrowing the interest rate differential that has driven the pair to multi-decade highs this year.

On the other side of the equation, the United States (US) ADP Employment Change is due on Wednesday, with the private payrolls gauge seen easing to 70K in July from 98K in June. A print in line with or below that estimate would point to a cooling labor market and could undermine the recent rebound in Treasury yields, adding to the pressure on USD/JPY.

Short-term technical analysis:

On the 4-hour chart, USD/JPY trades at 157.02, maintaining a bearish near-term bias as it holds beneath both the 20-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 160.36 and the 100-period SMA at 162.32. The pair is attempting to stabilize after the recent slide, but downside pressure remains evident, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering near oversold territory around 23, hinting that selling momentum could be stretched yet not decisively reversed.

On the topside, immediate resistance emerges at 157.15, followed by the recent horizontal cap at 157.94; a recovery above these levels would be needed to alleviate the current bearish tone. On the downside, initial support is located at 156.30, ahead of a stronger floor at 155.24, and a sustained break beneath these levels would reinforce the broader corrective phase in the pair.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)

• Oil remains under heavy pressure amid hopes for a deal between the United States and Iran.
• Investors await talks between Washington and Tehran on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program.
• OPEC+ production increase reinforces a stronger global supply outlook.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) US Oil trades around $78.45 at the time of writing on Monday, down 7.76% on the day, as investors unwind the geopolitical risk premium following announcements of a potential agreement between the United States (US) and Iran.

US President Donald Trump said that a large-scale military strike against Iran had been suspended after Tehran agreed to the framework of a deal covering its nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The US President also said that talks between the two countries are scheduled to begin on Monday afternoon, fueling expectations of a de-escalation that could reduce the risk of disruptions to global Oil supplies.

However, Iran's Foreign Ministry struck a more cautious tone. Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that Tehran is currently holding no discussions with the United States regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while confirming that talks with Oman on the issue are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) agreed on Sunday to increase production quotas by around 188,000 barrels per day from September, completing the unwinding of the voluntary output cuts introduced in 2023. The prospect of a stronger supply is adding further downward pressure on Oil prices.

Oil retreats as US-Iran diplomacy tempers fears but supply constraints persist

According to TD Securities, “renewed deal hopes have seen CTAs turn modest sellers of crude oil,” but the bank argues that “the market read is overly bearish, with global flows remaining heavily constrained.” Strategists highlight that “the production recovery in the Middle East has faltered amid the latest escalations,” warning that “any potential agreement similar to those that have failed within weeks, likely won't be enough to generate sufficient and consistent incoming tanker traffic.” They note that “flows through Hormuz, including Gulf of Oman ship-to-ship transfers, have been at 3-4.5m b/d in the last two weeks, which is in line with what the current production profile would imply,” underscoring that physical supply remains tight despite the latest pullback in prices.

BNY observes that “diplomacy buys time,” with the US and Iran “also communicating again, likely through regional intermediaries.” The bank reports that President Donald Trump “canceled planned strikes after allies outlined a potential framework covering de-escalation, the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program,” and that “oil prices have fallen sharply in response.” BNY notes that Trump said “new Iran talks would begin on Monday afternoon after he scrapped a planned military strike,” presenting the move as a response to “allied appeals from the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia,” and “as part of efforts to reach a broader deal.” According to BNY, Trump indicated the talks “could help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and keep alive a path to curb Iran’s nuclear program.” The bank adds that “the remarks eased market stress, with Brent crude falling sharply in early Monday trading after recent gains,” even as Iran countered that it currently has “no negotiations with the U.S.” In price terms, BNY cites Brent “-4.652% to 83.84, WTI -5.799% to 79.76, Omani crude -3.525% to 79.93, Dubai crude +1.8% to 81.109,” illustrating the sharp but uneven reaction across key benchmarks.

(This story was corrected on July 3 at 16:45 GMT to fix a misspelling in Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei's name.)

• USD/CHF extends gains as softer Swiss inflation and a modest recovery in the Greenback support the pair.
• The pair retests the 21-day SMA, while holding above the 50-day and 100-day SMAs.
• Neutral RSI and a negative MACD point to steady, rather than strong, upside momentum.

USD/CHF edges higher on Monday as softer Swiss inflation data and a modest recovery in the US Dollar (USD) weigh on the Swiss Franc (CHF). At the time of writing, the pair trades around 0.8109, up 0.38% on the day.

Franc under pressure as muted Swiss inflation keeps SNB on hold

Strategists at Brown Brothers Harriman highlight that "Swiss July CPI stays muted," with inflation data underscoring the lack of price pressures in the economy. They note that, "in line with consensus, headline CPI printed at 0.4% y/y vs. 0.5% in June while core CPI remained at 0.3% y/y for a fourth straight month."

Against this backdrop, BBH concludes that the "bottom line: the SNB has plenty of room to keep rates at 0.00% for some time, which is an ongoing drag for CHF," adding that the Franc is currently "the worst performing G10 currency so far this quarter."

On the US side, the Greenback shows signs of stabilization following last week’s sell-off, triggered by coordinated intervention from Washington and Tokyo to counter excessive weakness in the Japanese Yen (JPY). Stronger-than-expected US ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data lends some support to the Greenback.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against a basket of six major currencies, trades around 99.96, rebounding from an intraday low of 99.42, its weakest level since June 15.

Technical analysis

On the daily chart, USD/CHF retests the 21-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) near 0.8110 after slipping below it last week. The pair is above the 50-day and 100-day SMAs, keeping the broader outlook mildly constructive.

Momentum is mixed, with the Relative Strength Index (14) hovering near a neutral 52.5 and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) still in negative territory, which suggests upside may be steady rather than explosive in the near term.

On the upside, a daily close above the 21-day SMA would bring the psychological 0.8200 level back into focus. A decisive break above this area could open the door to additional gains.

On the downside, immediate support is seen at the 21-day SMA around 0.8110, followed by the 50-day SMA at 0.8038, ahead of the horizontal support near 0.8000 and the 100-day SMA at 0.7955.

As long as USD/CHF holds above this layered demand zone, the pair would likely continue to trade with a mild bullish bias, with any decisive break below 0.8000 needed to weaken the broader constructive tone and expose deeper retracements.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)

• AUD/USD falls toward 0.6990 as stronger-than-expected US ISM Manufacturing PMI data boosts the US Dollar.
• US manufacturing activity strengthens in July, with the ISM Manufacturing PMI rising to 55.6 and New Orders climbing to 56.7.
• Focus shifts to Australia's final S&P Global Services and Composite PMIs and China's RatingDog Services PMI, seen easing to 53.7.

AUD/USD extends its pullback toward the 0.6990 area during Monday's American session after stronger-than-expected United States (US) manufacturing data reinforced the US Dollar (USD). The pair had rallied above 0.7050 at the start of trading this week but failed to sustain gains as investors reassessed the Federal Reserve (Fed) outlook following resilient economic activity.

The ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose to 55.6 in July, beating market expectations of 54.0 and improving from 53.3 in June. Meanwhile, the New Orders Index increased to 56.7 from 56.0, pointing to solid demand across the manufacturing sector. The Prices Paid Index eased to 71.1 from 73.0, although it remained well above the 50 threshold, suggesting inflationary pressure continues to persist despite some moderation.

The stronger ISM figures prompted a rebound in US Treasury yields and supported the Greenback, weighing on risk-sensitive currencies such as the Australian Dollar (AUD). However, the softer reading in the Prices Paid component could temper expectations of an even more aggressive Fed stance if inflation continues to cool gradually.

Attention now turns to the Asia-Pacific session, where Australia will release the final S&P Global Services and Composite PMIs for July. Markets expect the Services index to be confirmed at 53.0 and the Composite gauge at 52.6, both unchanged from their prior readings and consistent with a modest but steady expansion in private-sector activity. An upside surprise on either measure could hand the Aussie renewed support by reinforcing confidence in domestic business conditions, while a downward revision would suggest momentum in the services sector is fading.

Traders will also keep a close eye on China's RatingDog Services PMI, the privately compiled survey covering Australia's largest trading partner. The index is forecast at 53.7 in July, easing from 54.1 in June but still holding comfortably above the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction.

Short-term technical analysis:

On the 4-hour chart, AUD/USD trades at 0.6993, hovering just under the 20-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 0.6997 while holding above the 100-period SMA at 0.6984, which suggests a broadly neutral near-term tone with a slight downside risk. The horizontal support at 0.6985 aligns with the longer-term SMA, forming a nearby demand area, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 47 hints at consolidative momentum rather than a clear trending phase.

On the topside, initial resistance emerges at the 20-period SMA near 0.6997, followed by the horizontal barriers at 0.6999, 0.7009 and the former opening level at 0.7018, which together define a gradual supply zone overhead. On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.6985, with the 100-period SMA at 0.6984 reinforcing this floor; a sustained break beneath this cluster would open the door to a deeper pullback within the current range.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)