Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller signaled a preference for holding rates steady this month, provided upcoming data confirms that inflation is losing momentum. Markets reacted swiftly, with the probability of a September rate hike dropping to below 50% from 65% following his remarks. This shift in the U.S. outlook has provided a clear tailwind for the Australian currency, which has outperformed most major peers throughout the third quarter.
In section Market Quotes
Australian Dollar Climbs as Federal Reserve Rate Hikes Lose Momentum
The Australian dollar surged to its highest level since mid-May, trading near 72.10 U.S. cents on Friday. This rally follows a shift in market sentiment as investors pare back expectations for aggressive U.S. interest rate hikes, bolstered by cooling inflation signals and recent commentary from Federal Reserve officials.
Simultaneously, domestic factors are tightening the screws on the Reserve Bank of Australia. Solid second-quarter growth data pushed expectations for a September RBA rate increase above 60%. With sticky inflation persisting, market participants anticipate the official cash rate will soon climb past 4.75%. While the Australian dollar benefits from this yield appeal, strategists warn that the currency remains sensitive to external shocks. A stronger-than-anticipated U.S. payroll report could trigger a short-term reversal, forcing the Aussie to relinquish some of its recent gains.
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