The AUD/USD extends its losses for the second straight trading session, and slips below the 200-day moving average (DMA) as investors await monetary policy decisions from major central banks ahead of the next year. At the time of writing, the pair is trading at 0.6559, down 0.19%.
The lack of economic data in the Aussie and United States docket left traders adrift to last week’s US jobs market dynamics and China’s inflation report. The US labor market has shown signs of easing, ahead of the latest Nonfarm payrolls report, revealed on Friday, which crushed estimates, bolstered by a hiring in healthcare, and automobile factories, after the UAW ended its strike.
The Aussie Dollar (AUD) is also greatly influenced by China’s economy. Consumer Prices in the latter dropped the most in three years in November, while deflation in the Producer Price Index (PPI) accelerated. Sources cited by Reuters said “the weak core CPI reading was a warning about persistently sluggish demand,” which remains the top priority for China, as they are struggling to grow at the pace required to achieve its 5% goal.
In the meantime, AUD/USD traders are eyeing the release of US inflation figures, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) expected to rise 0.2% MoM, above the last month’s figure, while on an annual basis is estimated to drop to 3.1% from 3.2% in October. Core inflation is projected to climb in monthly figures, while on yearly data, is expected to stay pat at 4%.
On Australia, the docket will feature the Westpac Consumer Confidence, alongside a speech of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock.
The AUD/USD daily chart portrays the pair is trading sideways, though tilted to the downside as it trades below the 200-day moving average (DMA). Despite that, sellers must reclaim the November 6 swing high at 0.6522, so that could cement the bearish bias, as traders will target a drop to the 100-DMA at 0.6463, ahead of the 50-DMA at 0.6448. On the other hand, upside risks remain if AUD/USD stays above the 200-DMA at 0.6574.