Forex News
- AUD/JPY gains traction to near 113.85 in Tuesday’s early European session.
- The cross maintains a constructive tone above the 100-day SMA, with bullish RSI momentum.
- The immediate resistance level emerges at 114.10; the first downside target to watch is 113.10.
The AUD/JPY cross trades in positive territory around 113.85 during the early European session on Tuesday. The Australian Dollar (AUD) strengthens against the Japanese Yen (JPY) due to the interest rate differential between the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Bank of Japan (BoJ). However, fears of possible intervention from Japanese authorities might cap the upside for the cross.
After delivering three consecutive 25 basis points (bps) hikes earlier this year, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decided to hold the Official Cash Rate (OCR) steady at 4.35% at its June policy meeting.
Economists warned that rising oil and fuel prices could cement a fourth interest rate rise this year if US President Donald Trump’s renewed conflict with Iran is not resolved within a week.
Traders have raised their bets on an RBA rate hike since airstrikes resumed last week, now pricing in nearly a 23% odds of a hike in August and more than a 50% chance by December, according to the Guardian.
Technical Analysis:
In the daily chart, AUD/JPY holds a bullish near-term bias as it remains above the 100-day simple moving average (SMA) and the Bollinger Bands’ 20-day middle band, keeping the broader uptrend intact. Price is advancing toward the Bollinger upper band, while the Relative Strength Index (14) around 60 suggests firm but not overstretched upside momentum.
On the topside, immediate resistance aligns with the Bollinger Bands’ upper band at 114.10. The next hurdle is located at the May 13 high of 114.74, en route to the 115.00 psychological level.
On the downside, initial support is seen at the July 20 low of 113.10. The next contention level to watch is the 100-day SMA at 112.75, followed by the Bollinger middle band at 112.55, with a deeper cushion coming in at the lower band near 111.05 should a corrective pullback develop.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
Australian Dollar FAQs
One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive.
China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs.
Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD.
The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.
- EUR/USD struggles to gain any meaningful traction as traders keenly await the crucial ECB meeting.
- Reviving inflation fears bolster Fed hike bets and underpin the USD, capping the upside for the pair.
- Last week’s failure near the 200- SMA on H4 favors bears and backs the case for further depreciation.
The EUR/USD pair is seen consolidating during the Asian session on Tuesday and trading just above the 1.1400 mark, or a four-day low touched the previous day. Market participants seem hesitant and keenly await the highly-anticipated European Central Bank (ECB) meeting on Thursday before positioning for the next leg of a directional move.
In the meantime, energy-driven inflation fears bolster US Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike bets and support the US Dollar (USD) amid escalating US-Iran tensions. This could act as a headwind for the EUR/USD pair, warranting caution before confirming that the recent pullback from a four-week high, touched last Wednesday, has run its course.
Spot prices keep a bearish tone following last week's failure near the 1.1480-1.1485 region, which coincides with the 200-period Simple Moving Average (SMA). Moreover, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator remains below zero with a negative reading, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 40.95 stays under the midline.
Momentum indicators together suggest waning bullish momentum and reinforce the downside bias while the EUR/USD pair remains capped beneath the 200-period SMA. This, in turn, backs the case for an eventual break below the 1.1400 round figure and a further decline towards retesting the year-to-date low, around the 1.1325 region, touched on June 24.
On the topside, initial resistance is located at the 200-period SMA around 1.1480. A sustained move above this level is needed to ease the current bearish pressure and open the way for a more constructive outlook. Nevertheless, the sub-50 RSI and negative MACD suggest that the path of least resistance for the EUR/USD pair remains to the downside.
(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)
EUR/USD 4-hour chart
Economic Indicator
ECB Press Conference
Following the European Central Bank’s (ECB) economic policy decision, the ECB President gives a press conference regarding monetary policy. The president’s comments may influence the volatility of the Euro (EUR) and determine a short-term positive or negative trend. If the president adopts a hawkish tone it is considered bullish for the EUR, whereas if the tone is dovish the result is usually bearish for the Euro.
Read more.Next release: Thu Jul 23, 2026 12:45
Frequency: Irregular
Consensus: -
Previous: -
Source: European Central Bank
- The Japanese Yen trades calmly around 162.50 against the US Dollar amid uncertainty over the future of the Middle East.
- US President Trump will either accept a 10-day ceasefire or call for a joint full-scale military campaign against Iran.
- Investors await the Japan National CPI data for June.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) trades flat against the US Dollar (USD) at around 162.50 during the Asian trading session on Tuesday, closer to its multi-decade high of 162.84. The USD/JPY pair will likely remain sideways as investors seek fresh cues regarding whether the United States (US) and Iran will announce a ceasefire or will continue exchanging attacks.
In the Asian trade, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades flat around 101.00.
According to a report from Axios, US President Donald Trump will either accept the 10-day ceasefire with Iran and resume negotiations towards an interim deal or call for a joint full-scale military campaign with Israel against Iran.
On Monday, a senior Iranian official confirmed receiving a proposal for a 10-day ceasefire from mediators to resume talks on an interim deal.
On the domestic front, investors await Japan’s National Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for June, which will be released on Friday. Investors will pay close attention to the inflation data to get cues regarding the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) monetary policy outlook. The National CPI ex. Fresh Food is expected to arrive at 1.6% Year-on-Year (YoY), higher than 1.4% in May.
Meanwhile, the next key trigger for the US Dollar will be the preliminary S&P Global PMI data for July, which will be released on Thursday.
Japanese Yen FAQs
The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors.
One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen.
Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential.
The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.
- USD/CHF as safe-haven dollar demand grew amid US-Iran tensions.
- The CME FedWatch Tool shows September Fed rate hike odds rose to 64.2%, up from 57.8% a day earlier.
- Rising geopolitical risks pushed the SNB to reiterate FX interventions to curb a surging franc and safeguard price stability.
USD/CHF extends its gains for the second successive day, trading around 0.8110 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. The pair appreciates as the US Dollar (USD) receives support from rising safe-haven demand amid ongoing hostilities between the United States (US) and Iran, which drove oil prices higher, reviving concerns about inflation and interest rate hikes.
CME FedWatch Tool suggests that markets price in 64.2% odds of a September Fed rate hike, compared to 57.8% a day earlier. In the meantime, Federal Reserve officials have entered their traditional blackout period ahead of next week's FOMC meeting, where policymakers are widely anticipated to hold the federal funds rate steady.
US attacks on Iran continued for a tenth straight day. The ongoing campaign has coincided with continued retaliatory strikes from Tehran against neighboring countries, further escalating instability across the region.
Although the Swiss National Bank (SNB) maintains a stable medium-term inflation outlook, recent meeting minutes reveal growing caution among policymakers. Escalating geopolitical tensions have increased short-term inflation risks, leading the SNB to reaffirm its readiness to intervene in foreign exchange markets to curb excessive franc appreciation and safeguard price stability. Investors now turn their attention to June’s Trade Balance data, scheduled for release later in the day.
Swiss Franc FAQs
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is Switzerland’s official currency. It is among the top ten most traded currencies globally, reaching volumes that well exceed the size of the Swiss economy. Its value is determined by the broad market sentiment, the country’s economic health or action taken by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), among other factors. Between 2011 and 2015, the Swiss Franc was pegged to the Euro (EUR). The peg was abruptly removed, resulting in a more than 20% increase in the Franc’s value, causing a turmoil in markets. Even though the peg isn’t in force anymore, CHF fortunes tend to be highly correlated with the Euro ones due to the high dependency of the Swiss economy on the neighboring Eurozone.
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is considered a safe-haven asset, or a currency that investors tend to buy in times of market stress. This is due to the perceived status of Switzerland in the world: a stable economy, a strong export sector, big central bank reserves or a longstanding political stance towards neutrality in global conflicts make the country’s currency a good choice for investors fleeing from risks. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen CHF value against other currencies that are seen as more risky to invest in.
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) meets four times a year – once every quarter, less than other major central banks – to decide on monetary policy. The bank aims for an annual inflation rate of less than 2%. When inflation is above target or forecasted to be above target in the foreseeable future, the bank will attempt to tame price growth by raising its policy rate. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Swiss Franc (CHF) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken CHF.
Macroeconomic data releases in Switzerland are key to assessing the state of the economy and can impact the Swiss Franc’s (CHF) valuation. The Swiss economy is broadly stable, but any sudden change in economic growth, inflation, current account or the central bank’s currency reserves have the potential to trigger moves in CHF. Generally, high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence are good for CHF. Conversely, if economic data points to weakening momentum, CHF is likely to depreciate.
As a small and open economy, Switzerland is heavily dependent on the health of the neighboring Eurozone economies. The broader European Union is Switzerland’s main economic partner and a key political ally, so macroeconomic and monetary policy stability in the Eurozone is essential for Switzerland and, thus, for the Swiss Franc (CHF). With such dependency, some models suggest that the correlation between the fortunes of the Euro (EUR) and the CHF is more than 90%, or close to perfect.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) published its Sectoral Factor Model Inflation gauge for the second quarter of 2026, following the release of the official Consumer Price Index (CPI) by NZ Stats on Tuesday.
The inflation gauge came in at 2.7% year-over-year (YoY) in Q2 2026 vs. 2.7% in Q1.
The inflation measures are closely watched by the RBNZ, which has a monetary policy goal of achieving 1% to 3% inflation.
Market reaction
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) faces some selling pressure on the RBNZ’s inflation data release. At the time of writing, NZD/USD is off the seven-week high of 0.5874, still up 0.36% on the day at 0.5858.
About the RBNZ Sectoral Factor Model Inflation
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has a set of models that produce core inflation estimates. The sectoral factor model estimates a measure of core inflation based on co-movements - the extent to which individual price series move together. It takes a sectoral approach, estimating core inflation based on two sets of prices: prices of tradable items, which are those either imported or exposed to international competition, and prices of non-tradable items, which are those produced domestically and not facing competition from imports.
Inflation FAQs
Inflation measures the rise in the price of a representative basket of goods and services. Headline inflation is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core inflation excludes more volatile elements such as food and fuel which can fluctuate because of geopolitical and seasonal factors. Core inflation is the figure economists focus on and is the level targeted by central banks, which are mandated to keep inflation at a manageable level, usually around 2%.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the change in prices of a basket of goods and services over a period of time. It is usually expressed as a percentage change on a month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) basis. Core CPI is the figure targeted by central banks as it excludes volatile food and fuel inputs. When Core CPI rises above 2% it usually results in higher interest rates and vice versa when it falls below 2%. Since higher interest rates are positive for a currency, higher inflation usually results in a stronger currency. The opposite is true when inflation falls.
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, high inflation in a country pushes up the value of its currency and vice versa for lower inflation. This is because the central bank will normally raise interest rates to combat the higher inflation, which attract more global capital inflows from investors looking for a lucrative place to park their money.
Formerly, Gold was the asset investors turned to in times of high inflation because it preserved its value, and whilst investors will often still buy Gold for its safe-haven properties in times of extreme market turmoil, this is not the case most of the time. This is because when inflation is high, central banks will put up interest rates to combat it. Higher interest rates are negative for Gold because they increase the opportunity-cost of holding Gold vis-a-vis an interest-bearing asset or placing the money in a cash deposit account. On the flipside, lower inflation tends to be positive for Gold as it brings interest rates down, making the bright metal a more viable investment alternative.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced via a post on the social media platform, X, that they completed the latest strikes at 1AM GMT Tuesday.
Key quotes
US forces struck Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Commercial vessel transits through the vital international maritime corridor continue. Since early May, CENTCOM forces have helped facilitate the transit of approximately 900 commercial vessels and 450 million barrels of crude oil.
American forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression toward civilian mariners seeking to freely and openly transit the strait.
Meanwhile, IRNA reported a statement by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), citing that “two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to pass through the unsafe southern route of the Strait of Hormuz were stopped after explosions caused extensive fires aboard them.”
Market implications
Oil is unperturbed by these geopolitical headlines, with WTI extending the previous pullback below $82, down 0.44% on the day at the time of writing.
Risk sentiment FAQs
In the world of financial jargon the two widely used terms “risk-on” and “risk off'' refer to the level of risk that investors are willing to stomach during the period referenced. In a “risk-on” market, investors are optimistic about the future and more willing to buy risky assets. In a “risk-off” market investors start to ‘play it safe’ because they are worried about the future, and therefore buy less risky assets that are more certain of bringing a return, even if it is relatively modest.
Typically, during periods of “risk-on”, stock markets will rise, most commodities – except Gold – will also gain in value, since they benefit from a positive growth outlook. The currencies of nations that are heavy commodity exporters strengthen because of increased demand, and Cryptocurrencies rise. In a “risk-off” market, Bonds go up – especially major government Bonds – Gold shines, and safe-haven currencies such as the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and US Dollar all benefit.
The Australian Dollar (AUD), the Canadian Dollar (CAD), the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and minor FX like the Ruble (RUB) and the South African Rand (ZAR), all tend to rise in markets that are “risk-on”. This is because the economies of these currencies are heavily reliant on commodity exports for growth, and commodities tend to rise in price during risk-on periods. This is because investors foresee greater demand for raw materials in the future due to heightened economic activity.
The major currencies that tend to rise during periods of “risk-off” are the US Dollar (USD), the Japanese Yen (JPY) and the Swiss Franc (CHF). The US Dollar, because it is the world’s reserve currency, and because in times of crisis investors buy US government debt, which is seen as safe because the largest economy in the world is unlikely to default. The Yen, from increased demand for Japanese government bonds, because a high proportion are held by domestic investors who are unlikely to dump them – even in a crisis. The Swiss Franc, because strict Swiss banking laws offer investors enhanced capital protection.
Japan Prime Minister (PM) Sanae Takaichi said during the Asian trading session on Tuesday that the government will guide economic and fiscal policy while paying close attention to fiscal sustainability and will focus on maintaining market trust. Takaichi added that the administration will seek to achieve, at the earliest date, possible growth exceeding 1% on a real basis, 3% on a nominal basis, and aim for further higher growth in the future.
Market reaction
No immediate impact seen in the Japanese Yen (JPY) following comments from Japan PM Takaichi. At press time, USD/JPY trades flat around 162.50.
Japanese Yen FAQs
The Japanese Yen (JPY) is one of the world’s most traded currencies. Its value is broadly determined by the performance of the Japanese economy, but more specifically by the Bank of Japan’s policy, the differential between Japanese and US bond yields, or risk sentiment among traders, among other factors.
One of the Bank of Japan’s mandates is currency control, so its moves are key for the Yen. The BoJ has directly intervened in currency markets sometimes, generally to lower the value of the Yen, although it refrains from doing it often due to political concerns of its main trading partners. The BoJ ultra-loose monetary policy between 2013 and 2024 caused the Yen to depreciate against its main currency peers due to an increasing policy divergence between the Bank of Japan and other main central banks. More recently, the gradually unwinding of this ultra-loose policy has given some support to the Yen.
Over the last decade, the BoJ’s stance of sticking to ultra-loose monetary policy has led to a widening policy divergence with other central banks, particularly with the US Federal Reserve. This supported a widening of the differential between the 10-year US and Japanese bonds, which favored the US Dollar against the Japanese Yen. The BoJ decision in 2024 to gradually abandon the ultra-loose policy, coupled with interest-rate cuts in other major central banks, is narrowing this differential.
The Japanese Yen is often seen as a safe-haven investment. This means that in times of market stress, investors are more likely to put their money in the Japanese currency due to its supposed reliability and stability. Turbulent times are likely to strengthen the Yen’s value against other currencies seen as more risky to invest in.
- US Dollar Index gains as rising US-Iran tensions drove oil prices up, boosting inflation fears.
- September Fed rate hike odds ticked up to 55%, compared to 51% a day earlier.
- Ten days of US strikes on Iran met continued Iranian retaliation against regional neighbors, heightening Middle East instability.
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, is remaining in the positive territory and trading around 101.00 during the Asian session on Tuesday.
The Greenback receives support from rising safe-haven demand amid ongoing hostilities between the United States (US) US and Iran, which drove oil prices higher, reviving concerns about inflation and interest rate hikes.
Market expectations for a September Fed rate hike have ticked up to around 55%, compared to 51% yesterday. In the meantime, Federal Reserve officials have entered their traditional blackout period ahead of next week's FOMC meeting, where policymakers are widely anticipated to hold the federal funds rate steady.
US attacks on Iran continued for a tenth straight day. The ongoing campaign has coincided with continued retaliatory strikes from Tehran against neighboring countries, further escalating instability across the region.
Geopolitical friction escalated after President Donald Trump warned that Iran would be held directly accountable for the deaths of three U.S. service members. Adding to the market's anxiety, Iran-backed Houthi militants announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, threatening critical energy shipments moving through the Red Sea.
US Dollar FAQs
The US Dollar (USD) is the official currency of the United States of America, and the ‘de facto’ currency of a significant number of other countries where it is found in circulation alongside local notes. It is the most heavily traded currency in the world, accounting for over 88% of all global foreign exchange turnover, or an average of $6.6 trillion in transactions per day, according to data from 2022. Following the second world war, the USD took over from the British Pound as the world’s reserve currency. For most of its history, the US Dollar was backed by Gold, until the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971 when the Gold Standard went away.
The most important single factor impacting on the value of the US Dollar is monetary policy, which is shaped by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Fed has two mandates: to achieve price stability (control inflation) and foster full employment. Its primary tool to achieve these two goals is by adjusting interest rates. When prices are rising too quickly and inflation is above the Fed’s 2% target, the Fed will raise rates, which helps the USD value. When inflation falls below 2% or the Unemployment Rate is too high, the Fed may lower interest rates, which weighs on the Greenback.
In extreme situations, the Federal Reserve can also print more Dollars and enact quantitative easing (QE). QE is the process by which the Fed substantially increases the flow of credit in a stuck financial system. It is a non-standard policy measure used when credit has dried up because banks will not lend to each other (out of the fear of counterparty default). It is a last resort when simply lowering interest rates is unlikely to achieve the necessary result. It was the Fed’s weapon of choice to combat the credit crunch that occurred during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008. It involves the Fed printing more Dollars and using them to buy US government bonds predominantly from financial institutions. QE usually leads to a weaker US Dollar.
Quantitative tightening (QT) is the reverse process whereby the Federal Reserve stops buying bonds from financial institutions and does not reinvest the principal from the bonds it holds maturing in new purchases. It is usually positive for the US Dollar.
- AUD/USD gains ground to around 0.7010 in Tuesday’s Asian session.
- The US launches further strikes on Iran.
- The RBA is in a “wait-and-see" mode as it monitors key economic data ahead of its next policy meeting.
The AUD/USD pair drifts higher to near 0.7010 during the Asian trading hours on Tuesday. However, the potential upside for the pair might be limited amid the escalation of the US-Iran conflict. The Australian employment report will take center stage later on Thursday.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday that it completed more strikes against Iran, hours after US President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would pay for the deaths of three American soldiers over the past few days, per CNN.
Iranian state media reported explosions across southern Iran, including on Qeshm Island and in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, Isfahan and Konarak. Kuwait also said that its air defences were activated against Iranian missile and drone attacks. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East could weigh on riskier assets such as the Australian Dollar (AUD) against the US Dollar (USD) in the near term.
After delivering three consecutive 25 basis points (bps) hikes earlier this year, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decided to leave the Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 4.35% at its June policy meeting. The Australian central bank is currently in a "wait-and-see" mode to evaluate how its tightening cycle is impacting sticky core inflation and a cooling domestic economy.
The ASX 30-Day Interbank Cash Rate Futures implied a 16% chance of an RBA rate hike in August, with a roughly 50% to 60% possibility of one more hike by December 2026.
Australian Dollar FAQs
One of the most significant factors for the Australian Dollar (AUD) is the level of interest rates set by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Because Australia is a resource-rich country another key driver is the price of its biggest export, Iron Ore. The health of the Chinese economy, its largest trading partner, is a factor, as well as inflation in Australia, its growth rate and Trade Balance. Market sentiment – whether investors are taking on more risky assets (risk-on) or seeking safe-havens (risk-off) – is also a factor, with risk-on positive for AUD.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) influences the Australian Dollar (AUD) by setting the level of interest rates that Australian banks can lend to each other. This influences the level of interest rates in the economy as a whole. The main goal of the RBA is to maintain a stable inflation rate of 2-3% by adjusting interest rates up or down. Relatively high interest rates compared to other major central banks support the AUD, and the opposite for relatively low. The RBA can also use quantitative easing and tightening to influence credit conditions, with the former AUD-negative and the latter AUD-positive.
China is Australia’s largest trading partner so the health of the Chinese economy is a major influence on the value of the Australian Dollar (AUD). When the Chinese economy is doing well it purchases more raw materials, goods and services from Australia, lifting demand for the AUD, and pushing up its value. The opposite is the case when the Chinese economy is not growing as fast as expected. Positive or negative surprises in Chinese growth data, therefore, often have a direct impact on the Australian Dollar and its pairs.
Iron Ore is Australia’s largest export, accounting for $118 billion a year according to data from 2021, with China as its primary destination. The price of Iron Ore, therefore, can be a driver of the Australian Dollar. Generally, if the price of Iron Ore rises, AUD also goes up, as aggregate demand for the currency increases. The opposite is the case if the price of Iron Ore falls. Higher Iron Ore prices also tend to result in a greater likelihood of a positive Trade Balance for Australia, which is also positive of the AUD.
The Trade Balance, which is the difference between what a country earns from its exports versus what it pays for its imports, is another factor that can influence the value of the Australian Dollar. If Australia produces highly sought after exports, then its currency will gain in value purely from the surplus demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase its exports versus what it spends to purchase imports. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens the AUD, with the opposite effect if the Trade Balance is negative.
- GBP/USD could further depreciate amid differing inflation trends and rate expectations between the BoE and Fed.
- Markets are monitoring fiscal strategy and cabinet choices under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- Upcoming UK labor, inflation, and retail data will dictate near-term Sterling volatility and direction.
GBP/USD steadies after three days of losses, trading around 1.3430 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. After recently surging toward two-month highs near 1.3550, the pair has moderated as foreign exchange traders evaluate shifting monetary policies between the Bank of England (BoE) and the US Federal Reserve (Fed) alongside political developments in the United Kingdom (UK).
From a macroeconomic perspective, central bank policy divergence remains the central pillar steering the exchange rate. While market participants anticipate eventual rate adjustments on both sides of the Atlantic, subtle differences in inflation stickiness and labor market strength determine relative yield appeal.
Domestic economic conditions in the UK are facing scrutiny as upcoming labor, inflation, and retail sales data will clarify whether the Bank of England can afford to hold monetary policy restrictive or if easing must accelerate. However, persistently high oil prices kept inflation fears alive, strengthening expectations that the UK central bank will hold interest rates elevated for longer.
As markets gauge the monetary policy trajectory, investors are also processing a leadership shift in Westminster following Andy Burnham's elevation to Prime Minister. Taking the helm as Britain's seventh Prime Minister in a decade, and second for Labour since 2024. He reaffirmed fiscal discipline while hinting at relief for taxpayers through a potential raise in the personal allowance. Attention now turns to his Treasury appointment, where reports point to Shabana Mahmood as a frontrunner for chancellor."
Until clearer economic signals emerge from both central banks and upcoming growth figures, the GBP/USD pair is likely to oscillate, anchored by shifting interest rate expectations and broader global risk appetites.
In the US, economic indicators continue to present a mixed backdrop for the US Dollar (USD). Softening inflation trends have kept Federal Reserve rate cuts on the radar, preventing sharp Greenback rallies and offering baseline support for the British Pound (GBP). However, lingering geopolitical tensions in energy markets and steady global risk sentiment have provided episodic support to the dollar as a safe-haven asset, keeping upside moves in check.
Pound Sterling FAQs
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is the oldest currency in the world (886 AD) and the official currency of the United Kingdom. It is the fourth most traded unit for foreign exchange (FX) in the world, accounting for 12% of all transactions, averaging $630 billion a day, according to 2022 data. Its key trading pairs are GBP/USD, also known as ‘Cable’, which accounts for 11% of FX, GBP/JPY, or the ‘Dragon’ as it is known by traders (3%), and EUR/GBP (2%). The Pound Sterling is issued by the Bank of England (BoE).
The single most important factor influencing the value of the Pound Sterling is monetary policy decided by the Bank of England. The BoE bases its decisions on whether it has achieved its primary goal of “price stability” – a steady inflation rate of around 2%. Its primary tool for achieving this is the adjustment of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the BoE will try to rein it in by raising interest rates, making it more expensive for people and businesses to access credit. This is generally positive for GBP, as higher interest rates make the UK a more attractive place for global investors to park their money. When inflation falls too low it is a sign economic growth is slowing. In this scenario, the BoE will consider lowering interest rates to cheapen credit so businesses will borrow more to invest in growth-generating projects.
Data releases gauge the health of the economy and can impact the value of the Pound Sterling. Indicators such as GDP, Manufacturing and Services PMIs, and employment can all influence the direction of the GBP. A strong economy is good for Sterling. Not only does it attract more foreign investment but it may encourage the BoE to put up interest rates, which will directly strengthen GBP. Otherwise, if economic data is weak, the Pound Sterling is likely to fall.
Another significant data release for the Pound Sterling is the Trade Balance. This indicator measures the difference between what a country earns from its exports and what it spends on imports over a given period. If a country produces highly sought-after exports, its currency will benefit purely from the extra demand created from foreign buyers seeking to purchase these goods. Therefore, a positive net Trade Balance strengthens a currency and vice versa for a negative balance.
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