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Australian Dollar remains on the front foot vs weaker USD after China Services PMI

  • AUD/USD attracts buyers for the second straight day as receding Fed hike bets undermine the USD.
  • Spot prices move little following the release of rather unimpressive China’s RatingDog Services PMI.
  • Geopolitical risks hold back the USD bears from placing aggressive bets, capping gains for the major.

The AUD/USD pair turns positive for the second straight day following a modest Asian session downtick to the 0.6910 region amid the emergence of fresh US Dollar (USD) selling. Spot prices stick to gains following the release of the RatingDog China Services PMI and currently trade around the 0.6930 area, just below a one-and-a-half-week top set on Wednesday.

The gauge eased from a three month high of 54.4 to 54.1 in June. The reading, however, pointed to a continuous expansion in China’s services sector and offers some support to the China-proxy Australian Dollar (AUD). The USD, on the other hand, languishes near a two-week low, touched on Thursday, amid receding US Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike bets. This turns out to be another factor that contributes to the bid tone surrounding the AUD/USD pair.

The closely-watched US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP), released on Wednesday, showed that the economy added 57K jobs in June, far below the 110K expected. Moreover, the previous month’s reading was revised down from 172K to 129K, pointing to softening labor conditions and offsetting a downtick in the Unemployment Rate to 4.2% in June. Nevertheless, the data shifted market expectations from one to two Fed rate increases in 2026 to between zero and one hike.

However, persistent geopolitical uncertainties hold back the USD bears from placing aggressive bets and cap the upside for the AUD/USD pair. In fact, the New York Times reported that US officials feared Israel may be hatching a plan to kill Iran’s senior negotiators, which could derail negotiations and trigger renewed fighting. Furthermore, Iran’s military headquarters warned that any US interference in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with a “decisive and swift response.”

Adding to this, relatively thin liquidity on the back of a holiday in the US makes it prudent to wait for strong follow-through buying before positioning for an extension of the AUD/USD pair’s recovery from a three-month low, set earlier this week. Nevertheless, spot prices seem poised to register modest gains for the first time in three weeks and remain at the mercy of USD price dynamics.

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Dollar Holds Decline on Soft Jobs Report

The dollar index held below 101 on Friday after tumbling in the previous session, as weaker-than-expected US labor market data led traders to dial back expectations for Federal Reserve rate hikes this year. The US economy added just 57,000 jobs in June, the fewest in four months and well below forecasts of 110,000, while the unemployment rate stood at 4.2%. That followed a report on Wednesday showing private-sector job growth also fell short of expectations. Fed funds futures now imply roughly a 50% chance of a September rate hike, down from 67% before the latest employment report. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh also said this week that inflation expectations are moderating while reaffirming the central bank’s commitment to maintaining price stability. The dollar index is on track to end the week lower, snapping a two-week winning streak.

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Currency Hedger – NFP Preview

NFP preview:

Will there be a World Cup boost? The June payrolls report is released today at 1330 BST, a day early this month due to the Independence day holiday on Friday. The market is expecting an approximately 113k increase in payrolls, which is a step down from the 172k print for May, the unemployment rate is expected to remain stable at 4.3%, and average hourly earnings could pick up a notch to 3.5% from 3.4% YoY. The strong reading for May makes the June report a test: can the upside momentum be maintained, or was the May figure an anomaly? Federal government jobs jumped last month, but this is expected to be one-off. If we get a reading that is close to consensus, then it would suggest modest growth in US jobs numbers are continuing. This would point to a resilient labour market that is not falling off a cliff.

Resilient labour market

Average monthly jobs growth this year has been above 80k, and we do not expect a number lower than this. The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model is predicting robust GDP growth for Q2 of 2.5%, which should easily support US job growth of 100k plus. We expect the bulk of jobs to have been created in the education and healthcare sector, with decent gains for construction and leisure and hospitality. The question is, could there be a World Cup boost? Stadium attendance at games so far in the US has hit a record high, of more than 3.5mn, which could boost hotels and the leisure sector.

Will payrolls boost Fed rate hike chances?

This payrolls report comes a day after the new Federal Reserve Chair, Kevin Warsh, spoke at the ECB’s central bankers conference in Portugal. Kevin Warsh said a few things that are worth noting. Firstly, that inflation expectations are moderating, secondly, that AI’s impact on the jobs market is not yet visible and thirdly, that his task forces could change what economic data the Fed focuses on. The latter point is worth noting. Although we think that payrolls will remain important for central bank decision making, change is coming at the Fed. As we lead up to this payrolls report, the market continues to price in a 28% chance of a rate hike at the Fed’s next meeting on 29th July.

Interest rate futures markets have repriced rates higher after a surprisingly hawkish FOMC meeting, and if we get a significant upside surprise for payrolls today, of 180k plus, then we could see the chance of a July rate hike surge past 50%. So far, the lead indicators have been mixed. Although the ISM manufacturing employment index was stronger, it remained below 50. Added to this, the ADP private sector payrolls report was slightly weaker than expected and was 113k for last month. The 4-week moving average for initial jobless claims ticked higher last week, but at 224k, it is still low.

The impact of a downside surprise

A downside surprise of 70k or lower could see the US Treasury curve steepen, as 2-year Treasury yields fall, and long-end bond yields rise. We think a weaker number could also lead to a recalibration of US interest rate expectations, and we think the Fed would be unlikely to hike rates in July if the labour market is showing signs of softening, especially if the unemployment rate also rises.

What’s next for the dollar

This data will also be the next major driver of the dollar, at least until we get the June CPI report. The US dollar index is at a 14-month high, and the US dollar is the best performing currency in the past year. In the past month, the USD index has risen by 2.5%. The break above 100.50 2 weeks ago was an extremely bullish development, and is supportive of further gains. However, the forex market can be contrarian around payrolls reports, so we could see some buying the rumour, before selling the fact later on Thursday. The technicals continue to point in a bullish direction, so the path of least resistance is for further gains for the Greenback. If payrolls are weak, and the dollar does experience a sell off, as long as the dollar index does not fall below 100.50, then the uptrend remains intact.

Chart 1: The dollar index

Source: XTB

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Chart of The Day – Is The USD/JPY in a stable trend or at a turning point?

USDJPY is trading slightly lower this morning at 162.70 (-0.15%) after hitting new multi-year highs around 163, as the market awaits the key U.S. payrolls report.

Context of Today’s NFP Data

Today’s June payrolls report is the main catalyst of the day—the consensus expects a marked slowdown to about 110,000 jobs following a surprisingly strong May reading of 172,000, with the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.3% and wage growth accelerating to 3.5% y/y. The market is trying to assess whether May’s surge represented a genuine labor market recovery or merely a one-off effect (including the World Cup in the U.S.). Employment growth this year has averaged above 80,000, which supports the scenario of a resilient labor market. CBA warns that another positive surprise could push USD/JPY toward 165 and test the Japanese authorities’ determination to defend the yen, while a weak reading (below 70,000–90,000) would ease pressure on the Fed to remain hawkish and could trigger a downward correction in the pair.

Technical Analysis

The price broke through key resistance levels at 159.52 and 160.52 JPY with momentum, moving clearly above the 50-day EMA (160.29), the 100-day EMA (159.21), and the 200-day EMA (157.31), confirming a strong uptrend. However, the RSI at 71.8–76.2 signals overbought conditions on the daily chart, which historically has preceded short-term consolidations or corrections, especially near multi-year highs. The trend remains clearly bullish for the dollar (bearish for the yen), and the 162–163 range also represents an area of heightened risk of currency intervention by Japanese authorities. Source: xStation

A Brief Look at Data from Japan

The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 1.0% in June—the highest level in 31 years—but the market does not expect another hike until the October–December 2026 window, even though about 90% of economists anticipate one more hike by December. This slow pace of policy normalization by the BoJ, coupled with the hawkish stance of the Fed, is the main structural reason why the interest rate differential between the U.S. and Japan remains wide and is sustaining the yen’s long-term downward trend—verbal interventions by Japanese officials have so far failed to permanently reverse this trend.

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EUR/USD Price Forecast: Approaches 1.1400 as bearish flag remains in play

  • EUR/USD attracts some buyers and moves away from the weekly low.
  • The upside seems limited as traders keenly await the US NFP report.
  • The bearish setup backs the case for the emergence of fresh sellers.

The EUR/USD pair ticks higher during the Asian session on Thursday, though it lacks bullish conviction as traders keenly await the release of the crucial US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report. Spot prices currently trade around the 1.1385 area and remain close to the weekly low, touched on Wednesday.

From a technical perspective, the EUR/USD pair retains a negative near-term bias beneath the 200-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the 4-hour chart. Adding to this, the recent recovery from the lowest level since May 2025 has been along an upward-sloping channel, which constitutes the formation of a bearish flag pattern.

Moreover, the Relative Strength Index (14) near 42.5 and a slightly negative Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) reading hint at fading bullish momentum. Momentum indicators together reinforce the near-term bearish outlook and suggest that the path of least resistance for the EUR/USD pair remains to the downside.

The EUR/USD pair holds just above the lower boundary of the rising parallel channel at 1.1366. This, however, points to only a tentative structural support, and a convincing break below would open the way for a slide. Spot prices might then aim towards retesting the year-to-date trough, around the 1.1335-1.1330 region, touched in June.

On the topside, initial resistance aligns with the upper edge of the upward parallel channel at 1.1451, ahead of stronger supply at the 200-period EMA clustered around 1.1522. The EUR/USD pair would need to reclaim the said barriers to ease the broader bearish tone and shift the technical picture toward a more constructive outlook.

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

EUR/USD 4-hour chart

Chart Analysis EUR/USD
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AUD steadies following Trade Balance data

  • AUD/USD holds steady as a stronger Australian Dollar was supported by positive domestic Trade Balance data.
  • Australia’s Trade Balance shifted to a A$3,018M deficit in May, reversing April’s surplus.
  • The US Dollar remains calm after Fed Chair Kevin Warsh struck a relatively subdued tone at Wednesday’s ECB Forum.

AUD/USD inches higher after registering modest losses in the previous day, trading around 0.6900 during the Asian hours on Thursday. The pair holds ground as the Australian Dollar (AUD) remains stronger following the release of domestic Trade Balance data. Traders will closely monitor the US Nonfarm Payrolls figures for June later on Thursday.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released on Thursday that the Trade Balance shifted to a deficit of A$3,018M MoM in May, following a surplus of A$1,383M in the previous reading (revised from A$1,791M). The market consensus was for a surplus of A$2,200M. Exports fell by 6.9% MoM in May from a rise of 7.2% seen a month earlier. Meanwhile, Imports rose by 2.6% MoM in May, compared to an increase of 0.2% seen in April (revised from 0.8%).

The AUD/USD pair trades within a tight range as the US Dollar (USD) stabilizes following a relatively subdued appearance by Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Kevin Warsh at the ECB Forum on Central Banking on Wednesday. Warsh opted not to provide explicit guidance regarding the central bank’s upcoming July policy decision. While he acknowledged that inflation remains too elevated and reiterated a firm commitment to the Fed’s 2% target and institutional independence, his overall tone was perceived as less hawkish than anticipated. Additionally, Warsh noted a personal preference for winding down the central bank’s bond portfolio but emphasized that any adjustments to the balance sheet would only occur after extensive public preparation.

The Greenback could face further headwinds on easing risk aversion amid a wave of optimistic geopolitical developments out of the Middle East. Qatari officials reported “positive progress” in the ongoing negotiations between US and Iranian diplomats regarding a memorandum of understanding, noting that both sides have agreed to continue their dialogue. Reinforcing this positive sentiment, US Vice President JD Vance stated that the discussions in Doha are going well and indicated that formal talks regarding the nuclear issue are expected to commence in the near future.

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CAD languishes near YTD low as USD bulls keenly await US NFP report

  • USD/CAD remains close to a 14-month high amid a combination of supporting factors.
  • Oil prices hit a four-month low amid easing supply concerns, undermining the Loonie.
  • The BoC-Fed policy divergence favors bulls amid a firmer USD and ahead of the US NFP.

The USD/CAD pair consolidates above the 1.4200 mark during the Asian session on Thursday as traders opt to wait for the release of the crucial US monthly employment details before positioning for any further gains. Spot prices, however, remain close to the highest level since April 2025 amid a combination of supporting factors.

Crude Oil prices have dropped to a fresh low since late February as the resumption of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz eased fears of a prolonged supply shock. Adding to this, the Bank of Canada (BoC) maintained a dovish stance as policymakers are prioritizing a sluggish economy over inflation threats. This, in turn, continues to undermine the commodity-linked Canadian Dollar (CAD), which, along with a bullish US Dollar (USD), continues to act as a tailwind for the USD/CAD pair.

The US ADP report showed on Wednesday that private-sector employment increased by 98K in June, down from the previous month’s unrevised 122K and missing estimates for a reading of 113K. Adding to this, the ISM Manufacturing PMI eased to 53.3 in June from 54 in the previous month. The data, however, does little to temper Federal Reserve (Fed) rate-hike bets. Moreover, lingering geopolitical risks continue to act as a tailwind for the USD, which, in turn, supports the USD/CAD pair.

In fact, Iran and the US concluded ​a round of indirect talks in Qatar with no sign that they have made headway toward a lasting peace agreement amid tensions over the critical Strait of Hormuz. Separately, Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, early this Thursday. This keeps geopolitical risks in play and favors the USD bulls. Apart from this, the divergent BoC-Fed policy expectations suggest that the path of least resistance for the USD/CAD pair is to the upside.

Traders, however, seem hesitant ahead of the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report, due later during the North American session. The closely-watched data will play a key role in influencing market expectations about the Fed’s policy path and drive the USD demand. Furthermore, Oil price dynamics might continue to produce some short-term trading opportunities around the USD/CAD pair.

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NZD remains close to one-week top vs USD; looks to US NFP for fresh impetus

  • NZD/USD attracts some dip-buyers and remains close to a one-week top, set on Tuesday.
  • Fed rate hike bets, along with geopolitical risks, should support the USD and cap the pair.
  • Traders might also refrain from placing aggressive directional bets ahead of the US NFP.

The NZD/USD pair edges higher following the previous day’s two-way price moves and trades around the 0.5685 region during the Asian session on Friday. Spot prices, however, remain below a one-week high, touched on Tuesday, as traders keenly await the US monthly employment details for a fresh impetus.

The popularly known US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report is a crucial driver of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy and play a key role in influencing the US Dollar (USD) demand. Stronger data will reaffirm a resilient US labor market and bolster rate hike bets, while a dismal print would temper expectations for a more hawkish Fed. Nevertheless, the crucial report should help investors to evaluate the timing and likelihood of future interest rate changes, which, in turn, will determine the near-term trajectory for the buck and the NZD/USD pair.

Heading into the key data risk, traders have been pricing in around a 64% chance that the US central bank will raise borrowing costs in September and assigning a nearly 85% probability of a move by the end of this year amid sticky inflation. The bets were lifted by data, showing that consumer inflation accelerated to a three-year high in May. Moreover, several Fed officials also indicated that higher interest rates may be necessary to bring inflation back to the central bank’s 2% target. This, to a larger extent, offsets Wednesday’s unimpressive US data.

The US ADP report revealed that private-sector employment increased by 98K in June, down from the previous month’s unrevised 122K and missing consensus estimates for a reading of 113K. Adding to this, the ISM Manufacturing PMI eased to 53.3 in June from 54 in the previous month. The data, however, does little to dent the underlying USD bullish sentiment amid hawkish Fed expectations. Apart from this, geopolitical risks support the safe-haven USD and warrants caution before positioning for a further appreciating move for the NZD/USD pair.

Iran and the US concluded a round of indirect talks in Qatar with no sign that they had made headway toward lasting peace amid tensions over the critical Strait of Hormuz. Separately, Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, early Thursday. This keeps geopolitical risks in play, which favors the USD bulls and should cap the NZD/USD pair. However, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) hawkish shift might hold back traders from placing aggressive bearish bets around the New Zealand Dollar (NZD).