Amid RBA Rate Cut Bets and Disappointing Caixin PMI, AUDUSD Trades Higher

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Written By: Angeline Feliciano
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    Summary:
  • AUDUSD is trading higher today despite negative Caixin Manufacturing PMI from China and ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) rate decision.

It’s been an interesting start to a busy week for AUDUSD. The currency pair gapped lower today and opened 46 pips below Friday’s close at 0.6464 following the disappointing PMI reports from China over the weekend. However, it traded higher following the negative Caixin PMI.

PMI Reports from China Disappoint

The privately-produced manufacturing PMI printed at 40.3 this morning. Not only did it miss the forecast at 46.1. It also marked the lowest reading the report has printed since its inception in 2004. It’s worth pointing out that AUDUSD traded 84 pips higher from its opening price despite the report. Why did the market shrug off the negative data?

For one, the largely-disappointing PMI reports over the weekend served as precedent. It would seem that market participants had already expected today’s report to fall short of expectations. This is also the first report that takes into consideration the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. Due to disruptions in the supply chain in China, it’s no surprise that manufacturing in Australia’s largest trading partner slowed.

RBA Expected to Cut Rates by 25 Basis Points

Secondly, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is scheduled to make its interest rate statement tomorrow at 3:30 am GMT. The recent reports from China and the effect of the bushfires in Australia are said to be enough for RBA Governor Lowe to announce a 25 basis point-rate cut tomorrow. There are also speculations of a concerted effort from major central banks to cut rates in order to help stimulate economic growth in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. The uptick in AUDUSD in this morning’s session could be driven by profit-taking ahead of the highly-important central bank announcement.

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AUDUSD Outlook

By using the Fibonacci retracement tool and drawing from the high of December 12 to the low of February 28, we can see that AUDUSD could soon find resistance in the Fib levels.

A closer look at the 1-hour chart shows a confluence of resistance between the 38.2% and 50% Fib levels. This price, between 0.6650 and 0.6690, also coincides with the falling trend line when you connect the highs of February 25, February 27, and February 28. The 100 SMA also seems to align with this price. Reversal candlesticks at this price could indicate that AUDUSD may re-test its February 28 lows at 0.6433 or maybe even establish new decade-lows.

On the other hand, a strong close above 0.6580 would invalidate this bearish assumption. It could mean that AUDUSD may soon rally to its February 25 highs around 0.6620. This could be sparked by a surprise announcement from the RBA to keep rates on hold at 0.75%.

Written By: Angeline Feliciano

Angeline Feliciano has been trading Forex for over ten years. She has invaluable experience working in FX education companies like BabyPips.com and Learn to Trade as a trader, currency analyst, trading coach, and presenter. Aside from these roles, she has also created intensive educational content on fundamental analysis which is heavily sought after by retail traders. She has taught hundreds of people how to trade the FX market in the Philippines and in Australia. When she is not trading, you can find her in the gym lifting weights.

Published by
Written By: Angeline Feliciano