AUD finds support as US yields fall on rising rate cut expectations
Daily Currency Update
The Australian dollar edged higher Wednesday, buoyed by a decline in US yields and rate expectations. With little of note on the macroeconomic docket, attentions were drawn to headline news flow and comments from US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent. Bessent called for a 50-point rate cut in September, suggesting the Federal Reserve (Fed) should reduce the federal funds rate by 175 points before the end of the year. Bessent’s comments were echoed by President Trump. While the market is only pricing in a 25-point cut in September, and a little more than a 60-point adjustment before year-end. The comments were enough to drive the USD lower, dragged down by a correction in 2-year and 10-year yields. The AUD tested a break back above US$0.6550, marking session highs at US$0.6561 before finding a narrow range and bouncing between US$0.6540 and US$0.6550 leading into this morning’s open.Our attentions now turn to domestic employment and unemployment numbers for July. The UK industrial production data, Eurozone GDP numbers and US Jobless claims dominate the offshore docket.
Key Movers
The US dollar fell against the majority of counterparts through trade on Wednesday as US yields declined and rate cut expectations through the end of 2025 jumped higher. The White House continues to call on the Fed to aggressively cut rates, with both President Trump and Treasury Secretary Bessent suggesting a 150-point reduction in the underlying fund rate was needed. While markets and Fed officials aren’t aligned with the White House’s aggressive monetary policy, easing expectations for a 25-point cut in September have firmed, with 2-3 rate cuts expected before year-end. Both 2-year and 10-year yields fell, driving the USD lower while fostering an upswing across equities and risk assets. With the USD on the back foot, the euro pushed back above 1.17 and Sterling climbed back through 1.3550 and the yen forced the USD back below 147.50.While headline news flow continues to dominated direction, our attentions now turn to UK industrial production data, Eurozone GDP numbers and US Jobless claims for macroeconomic guidance.
Expected Ranges
- AUD/USD: 0.6500 - 0.6600 ▲
- AUD/EUR: 0.5550 - 0.5650 ▼
- GBP/AUD: 2.0550 - 2.0850 ▲
- AUD/NZD: 1.0900 - 1.1000 ▼
- AUD/CAD: 0.8950 - 0.9050 ▲