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British Pound: Rebound on easing fiscal and inflation fears – MUFG

MUFG’s Lee Hardman highlights a strong recovery in the Pound and gilts as UK fiscal and inflation concerns ease. GBP/USD has bounced toward the 200-day moving average, while long gilt yields have fallen sharply. Softer UK CPI and weakening labour market data have reduced expectations for Bank of England rate hikes, though MUFG still sees downside risks for the Pound from energy and political uncertainty.

Pound recovery faces lingering downside risks

“The pound and gilts have staged an impressive rebound this week driven both by a reduction in fears over UK fiscal and inflation risks. After hitting a low of 1.3303 on 18th May, cable has risen back up towards the 200-day moving average at around 1.3420.”

“The spokesperson stated that Andy Burnham plans to stick the government’s current fiscal rules which would curtail room to loosen fiscal policy if he becomes prime minister. The policy “u-turn” helps to ease downside risks for the pound and gilts in the near-term.”

“The report revealed a much larger than expected drop in core and services inflation helping to ease some concerns over the risk of more persistent inflation in the UK. It provides some reassuring news that underlying inflation was continuing to slow before the energy price shock hits harder heading into the summer.”

“In response to the softer CPI report, the UK rate market has moved to scale expectations for BoE rate hikes. The timing of the first rate hike has been pushed out until July or September, and there are only around 50bps of hikes priced in by year end.”

“Overall, the latest developments leave the pound on a stronger footing in the near-term but we still judge that risks remain tilted to the downside. The ongoing fallout from the energy price shock and lingering UK political uncertainty continue to pose downside risk for the pound.”

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Euro: Growth worries cap upside against US Dollar – Rabobank

Rabobank’s Senior FX Strategist Jane Foley highlights that weak French and German PMI data have undermined Eurozone growth expectations and led markets to question how much the European Central Bank (ECB) can still tighten. Foley now sees risk of only one 25 bps ECB hike this year, arguing that slower Eurozone growth and energy-related headwinds will limit EUR/USD gains, keeping the pair below 1.20 in 2024.

Weak Eurozone data weighs on Euro

“The EUR reacted poorly to this morning’s shockingly poor French PMI release, with EUR/USD briefly dipping back below the 1.16 level. The preliminary data for May showed a sharp drop in the composite number to 43.5 from 47.6 the previous month, with weakness evident in both the manufacturing and the services sectors. The composite number, which is a 66-month low, would usually be associated with recession.”

“The data have caused the market to question whether the ECB needs to hike rates as much as has been expected to rein back demand in the face of the supply shock. This week’s releases of softer than expected UK and Australian labour data have had a similar impact on short-dated interest rates in their respective markets. Currently the market is priced for just over 50 bps of ECB policy tightening on a 6-month view.”

“In Rabo’s view, there is risk of just one 25 bps rate hike from the ECB this year. Further paring back of ECB rate hike expectations would undermine the value of the EUR.”

“In our view, any absence of positive news regarding a peace deal in the Iran war could still bring dips to the EUR/USD 1.15 area in the weeks ahead, with the USD likely to benefit from safe haven flows. Assuming a gradually reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in the month ahead, we expect EUR/USD to edge higher. However, faced with slower growth in the Eurozone, we do not expect a move to EUR/USD1.20 this year.”

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Currency Talk – EUR/USD, USD/CHF, USD/CAD

Key takeaways

  • What is the technical outlook for EURUSD, USDCHF and USDCAD?

EURUSD EURUSD prices have recently broken below the 1:1 uptrend, whose lower boundary was at 1.1650. According to the Overbalance methodology, this paves the way for the downtrend to extend, potentially as far as the low at 1.1420. Conversely, for a return to an uptrend, the price would first need to move back above the 1.1650 level, and ideally also break through the 1.1720 level, where the upper limit of the local 1:1 downtrend pattern is located.

EURUSD – H4 chart. Source: xStation USDCHF The USDCHF remains in a long-term downtrend. The price rebounded from a key resistance level at the end of March, leading to a decline of nearly 300 pips. Currently, attention should be paid to a local descending geometric pattern, for which resistance is at the 0.7914 level. Should this level be breached, the price could continue to rise towards the next resistance level at 0.8035. Only a sustained break above this higher level would suggest a shift in the balance of power on the chart. For the time being, however, the base case scenario remains a downtrend.

USDCHF – H4 chart. Source: xStation USDCAD The USDCAD pair shifted sentiment at the start of May, and since then we have seen a local uptrend, supported by a green 1:1 bullish pattern. Should a correction occur, the key support level remains at 1.3723. A break below this level could open the way for a decline towards 1.3630, where the polarity of the previously negated bearish pattern, marked in red, is located.

USDCAD – H4 timeframe. Source: xStation

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AUD/USD – Picks up above 0.7120 after finding support in the 0.7100 area

  • AUD/USD holds above 0.7100 after falling from 0.7174 highs on Wednesday.
  • An unexpected rise in Australian unemployment adds to the case for an RBA rate pause.
  • The pair is trading in a triangle pattern, with a bearish outcome favoured.

The Australian Dollar (AUD) gives away gains against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, as soft Australian employment data cemented hopes that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will take a pause in the coming months after three consecutive rate hikes. The pair trades at 0.7126 at the time of writing, after bouncing from lows near 0.7100, but remains well below Wednesday’s highs, at 0.7174..

Australian unemployment rate rose to 4.5% in April, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, reaching its highest level since 2021, against expectations of a steady 4.3% rate. The jump in the jobless rate was due to an unexpected decline in net employment, which fell by 18.6K against the 17.5K increase expected.

Aussie’s weakness, however, is being tamed by a mild improvement in market sentiment as US President Donald Trump affirmed that Washington and Tehran would be in the final stages of a peace deal.

Technical Analysis: The pair is forming a small triangle pattern

AUD/USD Chart Analysis


AUD/USD trades at the lower band of the monthly trading range, with price action forming ang a small triangle pattern. Triangles are considered continuation patterns, and, in this case, would anticipate a bearish outcome.

Momentum indicators, in the 4-hour chart, are mixed. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains capped below the 50 line, highlighting a mild bearish pressure, while the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) has turned marginally positive, hinting that bullish momentum is attempting to rebuild above recent lows.

Initial support is seen at the uptrend line around 0.7108, with additional protection emerging at the 0.7080 area (April 14, May 10 lows). A break below this band would expose an intraday support area at 0.7030.

Rallies, on the contrary, are likely to be tested in the area between the triangle top, near 0.7160, and Wednesday’s high, at the mentioned 0.7174 level. Further up, Monday’s high, at 0.7185, will also challenge bulls ahead of a previous support area, near 0.7215.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool.)

Australian Dollar Price Today

The table below shows the percentage change of Australian Dollar (AUD) against listed major currencies today. Australian Dollar was the strongest against the New Zealand Dollar.

USDEURGBPJPYCADAUDNZDCHF
USD-0.01%-0.00%0.06%0.11%0.38%0.19%-0.02%
EUR0.00%-0.00%0.09%0.10%0.38%0.15%-0.02%
GBP0.00%0.00%0.09%0.11%0.40%0.17%-0.02%
JPY-0.06%-0.09%-0.09%0.02%0.33%0.04%-0.09%
CAD-0.11%-0.10%-0.11%-0.02%0.31%0.07%-0.14%
AUD-0.38%-0.38%-0.40%-0.33%-0.31%-0.23%-0.44%
NZD-0.19%-0.15%-0.17%-0.04%-0.07%0.23%-0.20%
CHF0.02%0.02%0.02%0.09%0.14%0.44%0.20%

The heat map shows percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is picked from the left column, while the quote currency is picked from the top row. For example, if you pick the Australian Dollar from the left column and move along the horizontal line to the US Dollar, the percentage change displayed in the box will represent AUD (base)/USD (quote).

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Australian Dollar: Labor data threatens RBA-driven gains – Commerzbank

Commerzbank’s Volkmar Baur notes the Australian Dollar has retreated from a four-year high versus the US Dollar as weak Chinese data and soft domestic labor figures weigh. He highlights rising unemployment and fading support from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s earlier rate hikes, with policymakers now leaning toward a pause. Baur warns AUD support could taper if the hiking cycle is already over.

Weak jobs and RBA pause pressure AUD

“The Australian dollar has been on the defensive this week after climbing to a four-year high against the US dollar at 0.726 last Wednesday. But weak data on the Chinese economy at the start of the week dealt the first blow, and now labor market data released early this morning show that things aren’t going so well at home either.”

“In recent months, the AUD has benefited significantly from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy shift. While other G-10 central banks are still adopting a wait-and-see approach to the Iran conflict and rising inflation, the RBA has already raised interest rates three times in its last three meetings. However, the supportive effect these rate hikes have had on the AUD is likely to gradually fade.”

“In a speech this week, RBA Chief Economist Sarah Hunter sounded less hawkish than she had in recent months, and – based in part on the minutes from the latest monetary policy meeting released on Tuesday – it appears that the Australian central bankers are currently leaning toward a pause. They now want to wait and see and let the rate hikes take effect first.”

“Now, as mentioned, labor market data is quite volatile, and one shouldn’t overinterpret a single month’s figures. But signs are slowly mounting that the RBA may not just be taking a pause, but that this rate-hiking cycle has already come to an end. In that case, support for the AUD would taper off, and the AUD could come under pressure going forward.”

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Euro: Downside focus against US Dollar tempered by rebound – UOB

United Overseas Bank (UOB) strategists Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann maintain a cautious stance on EUR/USD after a dip to 1.1582 was followed by a strong rebound to 1.1644. While they still highlight 1.1570 as the key downside focus, they stress that slowing bearish momentum and positive divergence mean losses could be limited, with consolidation expected between 1.1600 and 1.1650 near term.

Euro consolidates as bearish momentum fades

“24-HOUR VIEW: EUR fell to a low of 1.1591 on Tuesday. When EUR was at 1.1610 in the early Asian trade yesterday, we indicated that EUR “could dip below 1.1590 and potentially test 1.1570 before the risk of a rebound increases.” We indicated that “resistance is at 1.1630, followed by 1.1645.” EUR subsequently dipped to a low of 1.1582 and then staged a surprisingly strong rebound during the NY session (high was 1.1644). Upward momentum is building, albeit not significantly. Today, instead of continuing to rise, EUR is more likely to consolidate between 1.1600 and 1.1650”

“1-3 WEEKS VIEW: We turned negative on EUR one week ago. After EUR dropped below 1.1600, we stated yesterday (20 May, spot at 1.1610) that “the focus is now at 1.1570.” We added, “while further declines below 1.1570 are not ruled out, the tentative slowing in short-term momentum, alongside early signs of positive divergence, suggests that the downside could be relatively limited.” We did not quite expect EUR to rebound strongly to 1.1644. Downward momentum has slowed further, and a breach of 1.1665 (no change in ‘strong resistance’ level) would indicate that 1.1570 is out of reach.”

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Rupee Finds Relief as Oil Prices Ease

The Indian rupee hovered near 96.4 per dollar, pausing losses after briefly crossing the 97-per-dollar mark for the first time. Softer oil prices offered temporary relief as Brent crude fell more than 5% to near $105 per barrel, while the US 10-year Treasury yield slipped below 4.60%, improving market sentiment. The rupee had remained under pressure, falling nearly 2.5% over nine sessions amid strong dollar demand, rising US yields, and heavy foreign fund outflows. Meanwhile, the central bank has already announced a $5 billion dollar-rupee swap auction scheduled for May 26. The Reserve Bank of India is also reportedly considering measures to stabilize the rupee, including a possible rate hike, additional swap auctions, and schemes to attract foreign currency inflows from non-resident Indians, which officials estimate could bring in up to $50 billion. Markets are now focused on the RBI’s June 3–5 policy meeting for signals on further support measures.

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NZD weakens despite stronger Trade Balance data

  • NZD/USD falls despite a record-high NZD 1.92 billion April Trade Surplus that beat market expectations.
  • The RBNZ is expected to remain cautious on tightening to avoid choking off a fragile recovery following a recent recession.
  • FOMC April Meeting Minutes indicated that the Fed may raise interest rates if inflation stays stubbornly above their 2% target.

NZD/USD depreciates after registering 0.62% gains in the previous day, trading around 0.5860 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) may regain its ground against the US Dollar as Statistics New Zealand reported that the country’s Trade Surplus widened sharply to a record high of NZD 1.92 billion month-over-month (MoM) in April, up from NZD 0.43 billion in March. This stellar performance comfortably beat market expectations of a much smaller NZD 0.98 billion surplus.

The record-breaking surplus was driven by a powerful surge in outbound shipments, with exports rising to an all-time high of NZD 8.6 billion. In contrast, annual imports declined to NZD 6.7 billion. This trade imbalance underscores highly resilient external demand for New Zealand’s goods, offering a buffer against broader global geopolitical uncertainties.

Despite the strong export performance, the domestic economic picture remains mixed, which could limit the NZD’s upside. Recent indicators point to softening economic momentum at home, prompting the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) to maintain a cautious stance regarding further policy tightening. Because the domestic economy has only recently emerged from a recession and continues to operate with significant spare capacity, policymakers are hesitant to choke off the fragile recovery.

The NZD/USD pair loses ground as the US Dollar (USD) gains ground amid increased risk aversion, which could be attributed to United States (US)-Iran uncertainty and hawkish monetary policy signals.

Traders adopt caution due to tense United States (US)-Iran peace negotiations against renewed threats to the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. A Bloomberg report on Wednesday stated that US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran were in their final stages. This raised market expectations that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz could soon reopen.

However, President Trump also reiterated to resume military actions within days if Iran rejects his terms. In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone on the social media platform X, stating that Tehran has no intention of capitulating and calling any attempt to force a surrender through coercion “nothing more than an illusion.”

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes for the April meeting, released on Wednesday, indicated that a majority of Federal Reserve (Fed) officials warned that the central bank would likely need to consider raising interest rates if inflation remains persistently above their 2% target. The minutes underscored deepening concerns within the Fed regarding inflation risks driven by the ongoing geopolitical conflict.