AUDUSD is approaching its earlier intraday high of 0.6291 and is currently 0.2% higher during today’s APAC session at 0.6290 as markets wait for details on US reciprocal tariffs due to be announced at 1600 ET or 0700 AEDT Thursday. The USD index is unchanged.
- Aussie strengthened further against the yen after the pair rose 0.2% yesterday. AUDJPY is up 0.3% to 94.21 today, close to the intraday high of 94.25. AUDEUR is 0.1% higher at 0.5825 and AUDGBP +0.2% to 0.4867. These gains could be unwound though if US tariffs are seen as worse than expected; a scenario which would likely drive a pullback in risk.
- The AUD is 0.1% lower against risk-sensitive kiwi at 1.1003. It has again found support at 1.1000 and is currently hovering around this level.
- Equities are mixed with the ASX up 0.2%, CSI 300 flat but the Hang Seng down 0.6% and S&P e-mini -0.1%. Oil prices are little changed with WTI around $71.20/bbl. Copper is up 0.3% and iron ore around $104/t.
- Apart from the US tariff announcement, the Fed’s Kugler speaks on inflation expectations and March US ADP employment and February orders are released. The ECB’s Lagarde, Schnabel and Lane talk.