The AUD/USD pair is currently trading in a tight range above the key support level of 0.6700. Despite multiple tailwinds, such as a hawkish guidance from RBA Governor Michele Bullock on interest rates, the Australian Dollar (AUD) has failed to see significant gains. The US Dollar (USD) has also been under pressure due to weak JOLTS Job Openings data, further contributing to the lack of movement in the AUD/USD pair.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) has continued to decline below 101.20 as a result of the disappointing JOLTS Job Openings data for July, which has raised concerns about the labor market conditions in the United States (US). Meanwhile, Michele Bullock’s remarks that the RBA does not anticipate cutting rates in the near future have not had a significant impact on the Australian Dollar.
Investors are now awaiting further clues on the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) upcoming interest rate cut in September. The Fed is expected to lower interest rates this month due to increased risks in the US labor market and progress towards meeting the bank’s 2% inflation target. Market participants are closely monitoring the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for August, set to be released on Friday, for additional insight into the potential size of the interest rate cut.
Today’s session will also see the release of the US ADP Employment Change and ISM Services PMI for August. Economists are predicting an increase in private sector payrolls from July, as well as a slight slowdown in the expansion of the service sector. These data points will provide further guidance on the state of the US economy and potentially impact the movement of the AUD/USD pair.
Overall, the AUD/USD pair remains range-bound above 0.6700 as investors digest the various factors influencing both the Australian and US economies. While the US Dollar has faced selling pressure due to weak economic data, the Australian Dollar has failed to capitalize on this weakness. With key economic indicators and central bank decisions on the horizon, traders will be closely monitoring developments for potential trading opportunities in the currency pair.