AUD/USD has edged lower in the Thursday session. In North American trade, AUD/USD is trading at 0.6914, down 0.22% on the day. On the release front, Australian MI Inflation Expectations remained steady at 3.3%. Australian employment numbers were mixed. The economy created 42.3 thousand in May, which marked a 9-month high. However, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.2%, above the estimate of 5.1%. In the U.S., unemployment claims was unexpectedly high, climbing to 222 thousand. This was the highest reading in five weeks.
Australian consumers are pessimistic, according to the Westpac Consumer Confidence indicator. The survey declined in June by 0.6%. This was a disappointment, as analysts had hoped that the recent RBA rate cut will energize the economy and improve consumer confidence. There was better news from the business sector, as the NAB business confidence survey climbed to 7 points in May. Aside from the rate cut, the business sector was pleased with the shock victory of the conservative coalition in the general election last month, as the conservatives have a business-friendly stance.
In the U.S., consumer inflation remained soft in May. CPI slowed to 0.1%, down from 0.3% in the previous release. This matched the estimate. The core reading posted a gain of 0.1% for a fourth straight month, shy of the forecast of 0.2%. With the May inflation numbers remaining low, there could be more pressure on the Fed to lower interest rates in order to boost economic activity and inflation. The likelihood of further rates this year is increasing – the CME Group has set the odds of a July cut at 66% and another cut in September at 50%. Lower interest rates make the U.S. dollar less attractive to investors, so investors will be keeping an eye at alternative assets.
