Australian Dollar Outlook: AUD/USD, AUD/JPY, AUD/CAD Momentum Slows

Volatility surged across markets this week as the US dollar slid to a seven-month low and risk appetite drove outsized intraday ranges across FX, commodities and equities. Base metals once again led the action, with sharp swings in gold, silver and copper spilling over into Australian dollar pairs. While AUD strength remains intact at a broader level, price action across key crosses is beginning to show signs of fatigue, raising the risk of consolidation or shallow pullbacks into next week.

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Australian Dollar Momentum Slows Across AUD/USD, AUD/JPY and AUD/CAD

It’s been a volatile week for traders, to say the least. The US dollar plunged to a seven-month low and, at the time of writing, is on track for its worst two-week run since April. Thursday saw volatility elevated across markets, with most major indices, commodities and currencies we track posting ranges well above their average daily moves. In particular, base metals raised a few eyebrows.

Source: LSEG

Gold surged to 5600 on Thursday before plunging back to just shy of 5100, ultimately closing flat on the day. That kind of high-range, indecisive session usually means both bulls and bears were punished. With no obvious catalyst, it suggests plenty of burned fingers — and that may keep traders sidelined in the near term, dampening follow-through volatility.

Silver also finished flat, despite posting a 12.3% intraday range that briefly pushed beyond 120 and below 110 before reverting back to the open. Copper bulls fared better, with futures closing up 6.3% after trading as high as 10% earlier in the session.

Given the strong rally in base metals has been a key driver of the Australian dollar — alongside a weaker US dollar and rising expectations of an RBA hike — volatility in the metals space has spilled over into the Aussie as well.

AUD/USD Technical Analysis: Australian Dollar vs US Dollar

The Australian dollar is on track for its best two-week run since the April low, which marked the broader risk-on rally amid the scaling back of Trump’s tariffs. Implied volatility has risen to a 41-week high, though one could argue the move may be running out of steam in the near term.

AUD/USD bulls have also tagged the 70c level for the first time in 11 months this week, a big round number that could prompt the strong rally to at least pause for breath.

It is therefore interesting to note that a doji formed on Thursday, signalling hesitation from the bull camp to extend the rally. Of particular interest, risk reversals have dipped lower, pointing to rising demand for puts relative to calls. Given the strong rally into 70c, the one-day reversal and increasing downside protection among options traders, bulls may want to tread with caution around current levels.

Source: TradingView

AUD/JPY Technical Analysis: Australian Dollar vs Japanese Yen

The Australian dollar has taken full advantage of the weaker yen over the past nine months, with AUD/JPY rising just under 27%. But key resistance levels loom, which brings the potential for a pause in trend of at least a minor retracement.

Of course, risks of a larger pullback AUD/JPY are apparent if Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) actually do intervene in the currency to cushion the yen’s decline. But until then, the trend is assumed to remains intact, and bulls may be on the sidelines seeking dips in anticipation of an eventual breakout above the 2024 high (109.37).

Note that Thursday’s low respected the 20-day EMA (106.49) and January VPOC (106.50), making it a pivotal level for traders. A break beneath which hints at a deeper pullback and bring the 105 handle into view, near the 50-day EMA.

Source: ICE, TradingView

AUD/CAD Technical Analysis: Australian Dollar vs Canadian Dollar

Another clue for Australian dollar traders sits with AUD/CAD, as the pair has formed a bearish outside day at the 2023 high. Reversals in currencies can take time, and sometimes weakness appears on some crosses ahead of others — meaning reversals can be staggered across multiple pairs before the tide truly turns.

As such, the fact that AUD/CAD has delivered a more definitive near-term reversal signal ahead of AUD/JPY and AUD/USD should at least be noted by AUD/USD bulls heading into next week.

Source: ICE, TradingView

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-- Written by Matt Simpson

Follow Matt on Twitter @cLeverEdge

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