- Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to Keep Cash Rate at Record-Low of 1.50%.
- Will Governor Philip Lowe & Co. Carry the Current Policy into 2018?
Trading the News: Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Interest Rate Decision
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate decision may rattle the near-term rebound in AUD/USD as the central bank appears to be on course to carry the record-low interest rate into 2018.
With the RBA widely anticipated to keep the official cash rate at 1.50%, more of the same from Governor Philip Lowe & Co. may sap the appeal of the Australian dollar as the central bank remains in no rush to normalize monetary policy. As a result, an attempt to merely buy more time may spark a bearish reaction in the local currency, with AUD/USD at risk of giving back the advance from the summer months should the RBA continue to tame expectations for higher borrowing-costs.
However, AUD/USD may face a more bullish fate if the RBA unexpectedly shifts the monetary policy outlook and shows a greater willingness to implement a rate-hike over the coming months.
Impact that RBA interest rate decision has had on AUD/USD during the previous meeting
| Period | Data Released | Estimate | Actual | Pips Change | Pips Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OCT 2017 | 10/03/2017 03:30:00 GMT | 1.50% | 1.50% | -9 | +22 |
October 2017 Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Interest Rate Decision
AUD/USD 10-Minute Chart
As expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept the cash rate at the record-low, with the central bank largely endorsing a wait-and-see approach for monetary policy as officials warn ‘slow growth in real wages and high levels of household debt are likely to constrain growth in household spending.’ The comments suggest Governor Philip Lowe and Co. will carry the record-low interest rate into 2018 as ‘inflation also remains low and is expected to pick up gradually as the economy strengthens.’
The Australian dollar struggled to hold its ground as the RBA stuck to the sidelines, but the reaction was short-lived, with AUD/USD climbing back above the 0.7800 handle to end the day at 0.7835.
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AUD/USD Daily Chart
- Broader outlook for AUD/USD remains tilted to the downside as both price & the Relative Strength Index (RSI) retain the bearish formations from the summer months, but the pair stands at risk for a near-term rebound as it appears to be coming off of channel support.
- The failed attempt to test the October-low (0.7625) brings the topside targets back on the radar, with a move back above the Fibonacci overlap around 0.7720 (23.6% retracement) to 0.7770 (61.8% expansion) opening up the next topside hurdle around 0.7850 (38.2% retracement) to 0.7860 (61.8% retracement),
- However, a more meaningful break/close below the 0.7650 (38.2% retracement) hurdle raises the risk for a move down towards 0.7590 (100% expansion), with the next region of interest coming in around 0.7460 (23.6% retracement) to 0.7530 (38.2% expansion).
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--- Written by David Song, Currency Analyst
To contact David, e-mail dsong@dailyfx.com. Follow me on Twitter at @DavidJSong.
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