AUD/USD is one of the key currency pairs in the international foreign exchange market. On 1 February 2024, we examined the primary factors influencing the pair’s exchange rate, analysed its price performance in 2023, and explored expert forecasts for 2024.
Overview of the AUD/USD currency pair
AUD/USD shows the ratio of the US dollar (USD) to the Australian dollar (AUD). Its quotes indicate the value of one Australian dollar denominated in US dollars. When the pair’s exchange rate rises, the Australian dollar strengthens against the US currency. When the exchange rate drops, this signals that the AUD is on the decline against the USD.
Trading characteristics of the AUD/USD pair
- Trading hours: The pair is traded round the clock except for weekends, with the highest activity observed during the Pacific, Asian, and American trading sessions
- Volatility: AUD/USD is characterised by moderate volatility, with average daily fluctuations ranging from 500 to 700 pips. However, during times of crises and stock market swings, volatility may increase to 1,000-2,000 pips per day for a short time
- Spread: thanks to high liquidity and moderate volatility, the spread for AUD/USD is minimal, often less than 10 pips in popular ECN accounts
Key factors influencing the AUD/USD quotes
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s monetary policy
The Reserve Bank of Australia has been tightening its monetary policy to combat inflation since May 2022, raising the key rate from 0.1% in April 2022 to 4.35% in November 2023. Subsequently, the regulator paused to assess the dynamics of inflation rates, keeping the indicator unchanged. In its policy, the central bank aims to reduce the inflation rate to the target range of 2-3%.
The Q4 2023 consumer inflation report released on 31 January 2024 showed a decrease in the indicator to 4.1%. It is worth noting that the reading was 5.3% in Q3. According to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s estimates, the inflation rate is decreasing and is projected to return to the 2-3% target in 2025.
Michele Bullock, the RBA’s governor, states that economic activity in the country is high despite monetary policy tightening. The cash rate will likely remain at 4.35% in the near term.
The US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy
The US Federal Reserve is also combatting inflation by tightening monetary policy, with the regulator aiming to decrease the indicator to 2%. From the beginning of 2022 to July 2023, the interest rate has gradually risen from 0.25% to 5.5%, significantly impacting the exchange rate of the US dollar, which has strengthened markedly against many world currencies.
The inflation rate is gradually decreasing thanks to monetary tightening, and high interest rates exert pressure on the US economy. Consumer inflation (CPI) was down to 3.4% in January 2024. At its latest meeting on 31 January 2024, the Federal Reserve left the interest rate unchanged at 5.5%, with the regulator’s officials noting that they are ready to cut the rate if inflation steadily slows down.
Experts expect the Federal Reserve to start an interest rate reduction process as early as May 2024 if the inflation rate continues to decrease smoothly. These expectations may exert pressure on the USD, driving up the pair in the medium term.
Dynamics of prices for natural resources
Despite being relatively young, Australia’s economy holds a prominent position in the global rankings. The country is rich in diverse natural resources, including gold, iron ore, diamonds, minerals, uranium, and coal deposits. The export of these resources plays a pivotal role in bolstering government revenue. Therefore, an upswing in the global prices of commodities like iron ore, industrial metals, gold, silver, and coal contributes to strengthening the Australian dollar exchange rate and fuels the growth of the AUD/USD currency pair.
Conversely, a decline in the prices of natural resources, often triggered by a global economic crisis, results in a decrease in the Australian dollar exchange rate and the AUD/USD quotes. It is worth noting that the AUD/USD currency pair is correlated with the price of gold. Rising gold prices usually contribute to strengthening the Australian dollar and driving up the pair’s exchange rate. In contrast, a decline in gold quotes is commonly followed by a drop in the Australian currency exchange rate and the pair’s quotes.
Major economic indicators of the US and Australia
- Interest rate decisions of the RBA and the US Federal Reserve
- Unemployment Rate
- Nonfarm Payrolls
- GDP Growth Rates (GDP)
- Inflation Indices (CPI, PPI)
- Industrial Production (Industrial Production Index)
- Retail Sales
- Trade Balance
- Consumer Confidence Index
- ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index
- National Australia Bank Business Confidence
- RBA Commodity Index
2023 AUD/USD price market outlook
The AUD/USD pair demonstrated mixed performance in 2023. Starting the year at 0.6820, the quotes moved upwards and reached an annual high of 0.7160. A downtrend followed, with the exchange rate smoothly declining to the yearly low of 0.6280 by October. In November and December, the quotes saw solid growth, ending the year at 0.6810, i.e., nearly the same level where they started the year.
The drop in the pair’s exchange rate was driven by the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike policy and the related growth in the USD exchange rate against many world currencies. The strengthening of the Australian dollar and a rise in the AUD/USD quotes were propelled by the RBA’s rate hike policy and rising prices for natural resources, including gold.
2023 AUD/USD price market outlook*
AUD/USD technical analysis
As of writing, the AUD/USD currency pair is undergoing a downward correction on the daily chart following recent growth and a rebound from the resistance level of 0.6870. The Alligator indicator and the 200-day Moving Average support the price’s downward momentum. The quotes presently range between 0.6525 and 0.6625, and the breakout direction from this range may serve as a reference point for near-term prospects of the exchange rate movements.
If the quotes gain a firm foothold below a strong support area at 0.6500-0.6525, aligning with the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level, then the trend may be projected to reverse into a downtrend, with the price potentially declining to the 2023 low of 0.6280.
If the quotes secure above the resistance level of 0.6625, potentially climbing further to 0.6870, this may support the potential completion of the downward correction and the continuation of the uptrend.
AUD/USD forecast for 2024-2025
- Analysts at J.P. Morgan Research forecast that the AUD/USD exchange rate will remain stable, standing at 0.6800 in December 2024
- Citibank’s specialists suggest that the pair’s quotes will drop to 0.6400 by the end of 2024
- Economists at ING Group believe that the Australian dollar will gradually strengthen, with the currency pair rising to 0.7000 by the end of 2024 and hovering near this mark in 2025
- The Economy Forecast Agency (EFA) experts expect the quotes to fall to 0.6140 by the end of 2024 and 0.5880 by the end of 2025
- According to the Wallet Investor estimates, AUD/USD will correct to 0.6290 by the end of 2024 and 0.5980 by the end of 2025
How to Trade AUD/USD
- Trading based on fundamental analysis. This method relies on examining significant factors such as economic statistics, expectations of central bank interest rate changes, and current trends in global stock, currency, and commodity markets. It is usually applied in the long term, where positions can be held from several weeks to a year or more
- Trading based on technical analysis. This method relies on carefully studying and analysing the currency pair’s chart. This approach employs classical technical analysis using trendlines, price patterns, support and resistance levels, proprietary methodologies, candlestick combinations, Price Action patterns, and more. Trading using technical analysis tools is generally for the medium or short-term
- Trading based on indicator signals. This approach makes trading decisions based on signals from various technical indicators. The direction of trading, entry and exit points from positions are determined based on signals from one or several indicators. These signals can be used to automate trading with the help of special programs, such as trading advisors
Summary
In 2023, AUD/USD quotes demonstrated mixed dynamics, returning by the end of the year to the same levels they started from. The policies of the RBA and the Fed supported the stability of the exchange rate to increase interest rates.
The pair’s future dynamics will likely depend on inflation and the actions of central banks: the regulator that lowers the rate first will exert pressure on its national currency.
A decrease in the Fed’s rate will contribute to strengthening the pair’s exchange rate. Conversely, a reduction in the RBA’s rate will lead to its decline. According to the forecasts above, in 2024–2025, AUD/USD quotes may be in the 0.5850–0.7000 range.
FAQ
Forecasting is crucial for strategic planning and risk management, helping investors predict the movements of the currency pair.
Commonly employed methods include fundamental analysis, technical analysis, and sentiment analysis.
While forecasting methods have their advantages, they are not entirely reliable. Various factors can affect AUD/USD and trigger unexpected price movements.
The primary risk lies in the unpredictability of global political and economic events that can significantly affect the AUD/USD rate.
The list of potential events is extensive, including shifts in the monetary policies of US and Australian regulators, considerable fluctuations in resource prices, geopolitical changes, natural and human-caused disasters, and crisis developments in national and global economies.
Influenced by various factors, the AUD/USD rate may maintain its volatility.
An increasing interest rate in the US contributes to the pair’s downward movement, whereas an interest rate hike in Australia drives up the AUD/USD quotes.
* – The TradingView platform supplies the charts in this article, offering a versatile set of tools for analyzing financial markets. Serving as a cutting-edge online market data charting service, TradingView allows users to engage in technical analysis, explore financial data, and connect with other traders and investors. Additionally, it provides valuable guidance on how to read forex economic calendar effectively and offers insights into other financial assets.
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