AUD/JPY retraces its recent gains that registered in the previous session after paring the intraday gains on Monday. The cross depreciates as the Japanese Yen (JPY) has shown significant intraday strength, possibly influenced by intervention by Japanese authorities to support the domestic currency, as reported by Reuters. According to Bloomberg's report, Masato Kanda, Japan's senior currency official, refrained from commenting on whether Tokyo had intervened in the currency market in response to a notable market movement. It's noteworthy that Japanese markets are closed on Monday for Showa Day.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) tumbled to new multi-decade lows during the early hours on Monday, following the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) decision to maintain policy settings unchanged on Friday. Uncertainty surrounding the BoJ's rate outlook, indications of cooling inflation in Japan, and a generally optimistic sentiment in equity markets are pivotal factors that eroded the safe-haven appeal of the JPY. Additionally, expectations for a prolonged wide interest rate differential between Japan and the other countries imply that the JPY's trajectory is biased towards further decline.
The Australian Dollar (AUD) cross received upward support from the growing hawkish sentiment surrounding the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) following the release of last week's Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data. The unexpected surge in inflation figures prompted economists to revise their earlier forecasts significantly. Warren Hogan, chief economic adviser at Judo Bank, told “The Australian Financial Review” his anticipation of the central bank raising the cash rate three times this year, reaching 5.1%, with the first hike likely in August. Investors now look forward to Retail Sales for March on Tuesday, which gauges Australia’s consumer spending. It has a significant bearing on Australia’s inflation and GDP.
The AUD/JPY traded around 104.50 on Monday, surpassing the upper boundary of the daily ascending channel. Additionally, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is trending above the 50-level, strengthening the bullish sentiment. The immediate resistance is seen at the psychological level of 105.00. A breakthrough above this level could support the cross to test the highest level of 105.43 recorded in April 2013.
On the downside, immediate support for the AUD/JPY pair could be found at the psychological level of 104.00 following the further psychological level of 103.00. If the pair breaches below this level, the AUD/JPY cross could lead to a further decline toward the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 101.59, aligned with the lower boundary of the ascending channel and a major level of 101.50.
The table below shows the percentage change of the Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. The Australian Dollar was the strongest against the US Dollar.
USD | EUR | GBP | CAD | AUD | JPY | NZD | CHF | |
USD | -0.11% | -0.17% | 0.00% | -0.35% | -1.68% | -0.32% | -0.26% | |
EUR | 0.12% | -0.08% | 0.12% | -0.22% | -1.57% | -0.20% | -0.13% | |
GBP | 0.20% | 0.08% | 0.19% | -0.16% | -1.48% | -0.13% | -0.05% | |
CAD | 0.00% | -0.11% | -0.21% | -0.35% | -1.67% | -0.32% | -0.27% | |
AUD | 0.35% | 0.24% | 0.17% | 0.35% | -1.32% | 0.02% | 0.09% | |
JPY | 1.66% | 1.53% | 1.48% | 1.66% | 1.28% | 1.32% | 1.39% | |
NZD | 0.32% | 0.20% | 0.14% | 0.32% | -0.03% | -1.35% | 0.07% | |
CHF | 0.26% | 0.15% | 0.08% | 0.25% | -0.10% | -1.42% | -0.08% |
The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Euro from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the Japanese Yen, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent EUR (base)/JPY (quote).
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.
Keep up with the financial markets, know what's happening and what is affecting the markets with our latest market updates. Analyze market movers, trends and build your trading strategies accordingly.