Australian Dollar Rises Amid Hawkish RBA Sentiment

The Australian Dollar (AUD) marked its fifth consecutive session of gains against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday, buoyed by increasing expectations of a hawkish monetary policy from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). This outlook was further supported by TD Securities’ revised forecast, which pushed back the expected RBA rate cut from November to February 2025.

The AUD’s rise was amplified by a surge in Australian government bond yields, with the 10-year yield climbing to a 21-week peak of 4.59%. This increase followed the release of Australia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on Wednesday, which exceeded expectations and bolstered hawkish sentiments towards the RBA’s future moves.

Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the USD against six major currencies, experienced a rebound, possibly influenced by a shift towards risk-off sentiment. However, this rebound was tempered by a decline in US Treasury yields, which has contributed to the USD’s overall weakening.

Despite the mixed preliminary economic indicators from the United States, including unexpectedly high Core Personal Consumption Expenditures and a lower-than-forecast Gross Domestic Product Annualized for the first quarter, the USD struggled to gain momentum. The focus now shifts to the upcoming US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index data for March, set for release on Friday. This data is highly anticipated, as investors look to assess its implications for ongoing inflationary pressures and the potential adjustments in US monetary policy.

As global financial markets continue to digest these developments, the dynamics between the AUD and USD remain closely watched, with the Australian currency’s strength reflecting broader economic trends and policy expectations.