Home AUD/USD Forecast September 2-6 – Will RBA decision shake up sleepy Aussie?
AUD/USD Forecast, Minors, Weekly Forex Forecasts

AUD/USD Forecast September 2-6 – Will RBA decision shake up sleepy Aussie?

Kenny Fisher
Updated:

AUD/USD showed little movement for a second successive week. The upcoming week is very busy, with the RBA minutes and GDP in the spotlight. Here is an outlook at the highlights and an updated technical analysis for AUD/USD.

Australian data was soft, but the Aussie managed to hold its own against the U.S. dollar last week. Construction numbers were dismal. Construction work fell by 3.8%, as the index declined for a fourth consecutive quarter. Building approvals plunged 9.7%, its fourth decline in five months. As well, Chinese manufacturing PMI came in at 49.5, as the index remained in contraction territory for a fourth successive month.
In the U.S., the highlight of the week was second-estimate GDP for Q2, which came in at 2.0%, matching the estimate. This was a slight downward revision from the initial estimate, which came in at 2.1%. It is evident that second-quarter growth will be significantly weaker than Q1, and further rate cuts could be in the works in the remainder of 2019. Durable goods orders improved to 2.1%, up from 2.0% a month earlier. However, core durable goods orders declined by 0.4%, the first decline in six months. The week wrapped up with UoM consumer confidence, which dropped sharply to 89.8 in July, down from 98.4 in June. This marked the first time that the key confidence indicator has dropped below the 90-level since October 2014.
AUD/USD daily graph with support and resistance lines on it. Click to enlarge:
  1. AIG Manufacturing Index: Sunday, 22:30. The index pushed back into expansion territory in September, but the reading of 51.3 points to stagnation. Will we see a stronger reading in August?
  2. MI Inflation Gauge: Monday, 1:00. This indicator helps analysts track inflation on a monthly basis, as the official CPI release is published every quarter.
  3. Company Operating Profits: Monday, 1:30. Company earnings is a key gauge of the health of the e economy. In Q1, the indicator rebounded with a gain of 1.7%, but this was shy of the forecast of 2.9%. The estimate for Q2 stands at 2.1%.
  4. Chinese Caixin Manufacturing PMI: Monday, 1:45. The U.S-China trade war has taken a toll on the Chinese manufacturing sector, and the PMI has dipped below the 50-level for two straight consecutive months. The index came in at 49.9 in July, and the forecast for August stands at 49.8.
  5. Retail Sales: Tuesday, 1:30. Retail Sales is the primary gauge of consumer spending and should be treated as a market-mover. The indicator rose 0.4% in June, edging above the estimate of 0.3%. The forecast for the July release stands at 0.2%.
  6. Current Account: Tuesday, 1:30. Australia has a chronic account deficit. However, in Q1, the deficit fell to A$2.9 billion, compared to 7.2 billion in the first quarter. The markets are predicting a small surplus in Q2, with an estimate of 1.5 billion.
  7. RBA Rate Decision: Tuesday, 4:30. The RBA is expected to hold the course at the upcoming meeting and maintain the benchmark rate at 1.00%. Investors will be glued to the rate statement, as a dovish message from rate-setters could send the Aussie downwards.
  8. AIG Services Index: Tuesday, 22:30. The services sector has been struggling, and the index slipped to 43.9 in July, down sharply from the June reading of 52.2. Will we see a rebound in the August release?
  9. GDP: Wednesday 1:30. The economy gained 0.4% in Q1, up from 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2018. The upward trend is expected to continue in Q3, with an estimate of 0.5%.
  10. Trade Balance: Thursday, 1:30. Australia’s trade surplus improved to A$8.04 billion in June, above the estimate of 6.05 billion. Investors are expecting a smaller surplus in July, with a forecast of 7.20 billion.
  11. AIG Construction Index: Thursday, 22:30. The construction sector continues to decline. In July, the index fell to 39.1, the first time it has slipped below the 40-level since June 2013.

*All times are GMT

Technical lines from top to bottom:

We start with resistance at 0.7165. This line has held since early April.

0.7085 was a low point in September. 0.7022 is next.

0.6988 marked the low point in April.

0.6865 is next.

0.6825 (mentioned  last week) is the next resistance line.

0.6744 was relevant throughout the week. It is currently a weak resistance line.

0.6686 was a cap back in January 2000.

0.6627 has held in support since March 2009. 0.6532 is next.

0.6456 follows.

0.6341 has held in support since 2003.

 

 

I remain bearish on AUD/USD

Economic conditions in Australia are weak, and it remains to be seen if the rate cuts earlier this year will stimulate the economy. With the U.S. showing signs of weaker growth in Q2, investor risk appetite has weakened, so risk currencies like the Aussie remain vulnerable.

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Safe trading!

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.

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