Australian Dollar Outlook: AUD/USD Range Offers Traders a Tactical Blueprint

• Fundamentals aren’t moving the Aussie
• Global uncertainty keeps traders cautious
• Fed cut and local CPI dominate focus
• AUD pairs respecting known levels

AUD Outlook Summary

Fundamental drivers aren’t really impacting the Australian dollar right now. There’s plenty of uncertainty around how the Trump–Xi meeting will play out, risk assets look stretched but haven’t delivered a significant drawdown yet, and the Fed is expected to cut rates next week regardless of tomorrow’s inflation report. Locally, the looming release of Australia’s inflation data next Wednesday has kept many rates traders on the sidelines. Whether against the U.S. dollar or crosses, the Aussie feels listless. That probably explains why it’s been so respectful of known levels over the past week. It may not be the most exciting FX name, but if that remains the case, it gives traders a clear blueprint for assessing setups.

AUD/USD Rangebound, Risks Tilting Lower

Source: TradingView

AUD/USD has resembled a game of pong recently, attracting offers above .6521 while bids are layered beneath .6480. That’s the initial range traders need to be aware of when looking at the pair. While there is no obvious directional signal from moving averages with the price sandwiched between the 50-day above and 200-day below, momentum indicators offer a little more with RSI (14) breaking its uptrend while remaining below 50 while MACD continues to push into negative territory having already crossed the signal line, providing an overall message of sustained downside pressure. That favours a bearish bias even if it’s not a slam dunk case.

The last two daily candles prior to Thursday point to a growing risk of a downside break, with a bearish bar from .6521 resistance followed by a tombstone doji. If the price were to break and close beneath minor support at .6465, it may encourage additional bears off the sideline seeking a retest of the double bottom around .6400, which is where the 200-day moving average is found. Beyond, .6419 and the June low of .6374 are other downside levels of note.

While it screens as a lower probability play, should the offers above .6521 be overrun, the intersection of the 50-day moving average, horizontal resistance at .6550 and downtrend from the 2021 highs would prove a stern test for longs. If it were to be broken, .6625 resistance would be next item on the menu for bulls.

EUR/AUD: Price Signals take Precedence

Source: TradingView

EUR/AUD has been similarly respectful of levels over the past month, with 1.7945 the latest focal point. It’s capped the price in each of the past two sessions, providing bears with an entry level if they want it.

Below these levels, the 50-day moving average has offered support over the past fortnight, making it a downside target or entry point for longs. Beyond, 1.7800 has seen plenty of price action recently, with 1.7726 and 1.7675 other notable levels. Above 1.7945, 1.8050 and 1.8150 have attracted sellers over recent months.

Momentum is essentially neutral, even if RSI (14) and MACD lean marginally bullish. In this rangy environment, price action deserves more weight than momentum signals.

GBP/AUD: Failed Bearish Break Offers Clues

Source: TradingView

GBP/AUD has been slightly more exciting thanks to the large undershoot in the UK inflation report for September, released Wednesday. That sent Cable sharply lower and weakened the pound across most crosses. While the Aussie gained, the hammer candle that printed following a failed break below the 50 and 200-day moving averages shouldn’t be ignored—it’s a warning not to get too aggressive with shorts. It also hints that another failure to sustain a move below these levels could present a decent entry point for longs.

Above where the pair currently trades, 2.0652, 2.0750, and 2.0866 are levels of note. Below the 200DMA, 2.0442 and 2.0300 have seen plenty of price action recently, making them relevant should we see a deeper downside flush.  

Momentum indicators show rapidly diminishing topside strength, but the combined message leans marginally bullish, slightly favoring upside over down.