The US annual inflation rate is projected to remain at 3.4% in May, according to economists. However, there is an expectation for the core inflation rate to soften slightly from 3.6% to 3.5%. Any deviation from these forecasts could have significant implications on investor expectations of a potential Fed rate cut in September. A higher-than-expected inflation rate may lead to a more hawkish Fed stance, resulting in increased borrowing costs and reduced disposable income.
Consumer Spending and Demand-Driven Inflation
If disposable income trends downward as a result of increased borrowing costs, this could potentially impact consumer spending. A decrease in consumer spending could, in turn, dampen demand-driven inflation. The US dollar is likely to be particularly sensitive to the CPI Report, and any surprises in the inflation data could lead to market volatility.
The AUD/USD exchange rate is expected to be influenced by the US inflation numbers and the FOMC economic projections in the near term. Higher-than-expected inflation figures in the US, coupled with more hawkish economic projections, may tilt monetary policy divergence in favor of the US dollar. This could potentially lead to a breakout in the AUD/USD exchange rate.
Technical Analysis of AUD/USD Exchange Rate
From a technical perspective, the AUD/USD pair is currently trading above both the 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), indicating bullish price signals. A return to the $0.66500 handle could set the stage for a potential test of the $0.67003 resistance level. A breakout above this resistance level could pave the way for further gains towards the $0.67500 handle.
On the downside, a break below the 50-day EMA could bring the 200-day EMA and the $0.65760 support level into play. With a 14-period Daily Relative Strength Index (RSI) reading of 48.35, there is a possibility that the AUD may drop below the $0.65500 handle, potentially entering oversold territory.
The US inflation forecast has the potential to significantly impact investor expectations, consumer spending, and the AUD/USD exchange rate in the near term. Traders and investors will closely monitor the upcoming US CPI Report and FOMC economic projections for any signs of hawkishness that could influence market sentiment and trading patterns.
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