Home AUD/USD Forecast May 18-22

The Australian dollar  showed some volatility last week, and gained 100 points. AUD/USD closed the week at 0.8024, its first weekly closing above the 0.80 level since mid-January. There are 9 events this week.  Here is an outlook on the major market-movers and an updated technical analysis for AUD/USD.

The  Australian dollar  took advantage of strong Australian data last week, as NAB  Business Confidence and Home Loans beat expectations. It was a disappointing week for US releases, highlighted by soft US retail sales.

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AUD/USD graph with support and resistance lines on it. Click to enlarge:

AUD_USD_Forecast.May 18-22.

  1. RBA Deputy Governor  Philip Lowe Speaks: Sunday, 23:30. Lowe will speak at event in Sydney. A speech which is more hawkish than expected is bullish for the Australian dollar.
  2. New Motor Vehicle Sales: Monday, 1:30. New Motor Vehicle Sales is an important gauge of consumer confidence, as an increase in demand for  expensive durable goods points  to a consumer  who  is optimistic about the economy. The indicator slipped to 0.5% in March. Will the indicator  bounce back with a stronger  reading in the April report?
  3. CB Leading Index: Tuesday, 00:00. This indicator is based on 7 economic indicators, but is considered a minor event since most of the data has already been released. The indicator has been steady in recent readings, and came in at 0.5% in the  February release.
  4. Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes: Tuesday, 1:30. The minutes will provide details of the RBA policy statement, which was released earlier in the month. The markets will be looking for hints from the RBA over interest rate policy, and whether the Bank is contemplating further rate cuts.
  5. RBA Deputy Governor  Philip Lowe Speaks: Tuesday, 23:15. Lowe will speak at an event in Sydney. The markets will be listening closely for clues regarding the RBA’s future interest rate policy.
  6. Westpac Consumer Sentiment: Wednesday, 00:30. This important indicator has been struggling lately, posting two consecutive declines. Will the indicator bounce back in the May report?
  7. RBA Assistant Governor Malcolm Edey Speaks: Sunday, 23:30. Edey will speak at an event in Melbourne. A speech which is more hawkish than expected is bullish for the Australian dollar.
  8. MI Inflation Expectations: Thursday, 1:00. Analysts rely on this indicator to track inflation, as consumer’s expectations often translate into actual inflation. The index improved  in March, posting a gain of  3.4%.
  9. Chinese HSBC Flash Manufacturing PMI: Thursday, 1:45.  The Australian dollar  is sensitive to key Chinese data such as Flash Manufacturing PMI, as the Asian giant is Australia’s number one trading partner. The index continues to trade close to the 50-point line, which separates contraction from expansion. The  April reading stands at 49.5 points.

* All times are GMT.

AUD/USD Technical Analysis

AUD/USD started the week at 0.7924 and  dropped to a low of 0.7876. The pair then reversed directions, and shot up to a high of 0.8163, breaking above resistance at 0.8150 (discussed last week).  However, the pair  was unable to  consolidate at these levels and  closed the week at 0.8024.

Live chart of AUD/USD: [do action=”tradingviews” pair=”AUDUSD” interval=”60″/]

Technical lines from top to bottom:

We  start  with resistance at 0.8393, which has held firm since December 2014.

0.8295 has remained intact since mid-January.

0.8150 was tested as the pair showed some strength late in the week before retracting.

0.8077 was an important resistance line in January.

0.7978 was a cap back in January 2007.

0.7799 has strengthened in support as the pair trades at higher levels.

0.7692 is the next support level.

0.7601 has remained firm since mid-April.

0.7528 is the  final  support level for now.

I  am  neutral on AUD/USD.

Despite the greenback’s losses to the Aussie last week, market sentiment remains positive about the US economy, with the Fed  expected to tighten rates later in the year. The sharp monetary divergence between the US and Australia will likely continue to weigh on the Australian dollar.

In our latest podcast, we ask: USD: Glass half full or half empty? And also discuss other topics:

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Kenny Fisher

Kenny Fisher

Kenny Fisher - Senior Writer A native of Toronto, Canada, Kenneth worked for seven years in the marketing and trading departments at Bendix, a foreign exchange company in Toronto. Kenneth is also a lawyer, and has extensive experience as an editor and writer.