TALKING POINTS – AUD/USD, EMPLOYMENT DATA, TRADE WARS, CPI
- Australian Dollar gained against the greenback on better-than-expected employment data
- AUD/USD prices’ rally brings key levels 0.71611-0.7234 into play as possible support
- US-China trade negotiations, 4Q Australian CPI, and US shutdown in the spotlight
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The Australian Dollar strengthened against its US counterpart after local employment data crossed the wires during Thursday’s Asia Pacific trading session. The Australian economy added 21.6k jobs in December, beating the estimate of 18.0k, but down from the prior 39.0k. Meanwhile, last month’s unemployment rate clocked in at 5.0%, a decline from both the forecast and previous 5.1%. Full-time jobs decreased by 3.0k, an uptick from November’s -7.3k.
AUD/USD Chart (5-minute)
Chart prepared in TradingView
However, the slight uptick in prices may not continue, despite AUD/USD’s recent rally following confirmation of a Morning Star Bullish Reversal. The Aussie is trading in a familiar range, which has served as support levels in May and December 2016 at approximately 0.71611-0.7234. A break above this could indicate further gains, but is unlikely as the prolonged US government shutdown and threats of more tariffs against China could lead to further falls in equities and the pro-risk AUD.
AUD/USD Chart (Daily)
Chart prepared in TradingView
Looking ahead, the currency pair will closely eye the outcome of upcoming trade negotiations between the US and China later this week. Continued friction and a failure to reach a deal between the world’s two largest economies could lead to a bearish reversal. In addition, AUD/USD will also look to 4Q Australian CPI data and the possible release of last quarter’s US GDP next week.
AUD/USD Trading Resources
- Join a free Q&A webinar and have your trading questions answered
- Just getting started? See our beginners’ guide for FX traders
- Having trouble with your strategy? Here’s the #1 mistake that traders make
- See how the Australian Dollar is viewed by the trading community at the DailyFX Sentiment Page
--- Written by Megha Torpunuri, DailyFX Research Team
