US Dollar weaker on Trump worries

Key Movers

The Australian dollar held onto Monday’s gains throughout trade on Tuesday bouncing about a 40-point range. Softer than anticipated U.S housing data added to a string of weaker macroeconomic data sets casting doubt over the strength of the broader economy and a shadow over expectations surrounding monetary policy tightening. Investors’ concerns President Trump will be unable to deliver the economic stimulus promised throughout the election campaign continues to escalate as suggestions political noise will drown attempts for reform and possibly force the President from office before his term is through. The Aussie dollar held above 0.74 for much of the day touching intraday highs at 0.7437. With little direction derived from the RBA’s minutes as the boards meeting account offered nothing not already addressed in previous rate statements. Attentions now turn to labour market data Thursday for direction and a possible upside extension.  


The Great British Pound is stronger again today when valued against its US counterpart reaching an overnight high of 1.2957. UK inflation figures yesterday came in better than expected printing a 2.7% yearly basis, above the 2.6% expected and previous 2.3%. Producer prices inflation was also higher than expected, with factory output prices up by 0.5%. Higher inflation usually means that the Bank of England would be a step closer to rising rates. However, all attention will still remain focused on Brexit. Today all eyes will be on the UK Unemployment Rate Decision with expectations the jobless rate will remain steady at 4.7 percent. The GBP/USD pair is currently trading at 1.2918. We now expect support to hold on moves approaching 1.2890 while any upward push will likely meet resistance around 1.2950.


The New Zealand Dollar held ground over the last 24 hours, trading in a tight 40 point range. Supported by renewed strength in Oil and commodity prices the Kiwi hit an intraday high of 0.6905. Overnight the latest Global Dairy Price Auction rose to 3.2% and was the fifth consecutive month of increases. Despite the rise, there was little movement in the NZD/USD cross as sideways movements were maintained. Domestically the market looks to price of goods release today as the New Zealand dollar opens this morning at 0.6885.


Having remained between levels of 1.0900 and 1.1000 intraday yesterday the Euro broke key resistance of 1.1000 against the US Dollar overnight to touch a fresh six-month high of 1.1097 . The Greenbacks decent began with German ZEW economic sentiment survey improved in May, suggesting optimism about the economic conditions in Q2 2017. Demand for the Euro continued as US Housing Starts fell by 2.5% in April, missing consensus expectations for a 0.2% lift and concerns about the Trump administration weighed on the Dollar. Meanwhile, USD/JPY continues to move south currently changing hands at a one-week low of 112.73 at the time of writing.