China re-opening, widening trade surplus, and a fragile USD to keep Australian Dollar bouncing higher ("AUD") in 2023.
The Dollar Index (“DXY”) is sinking through support levels even as the AUD rises past key resistance points. Amid solid tailwinds favoring AUD and formidable headwinds facing the USD, this case study argues for a long position in CME Micro AUD/USD Futures expiring in March 2023.
Thus far, the AUD is 2023's top-performing currency. It appears to have raced ahead of itself with near-term consolidation expected before resuming its ascent. Hence, an entry at 0.695 with a target of 0.736 and a stop-loss at 0.668 will deliver a reward-to-risk ratio of 1.52.
WHAT DRIVES THE VALUE OF A CURRENCY?
Supply and demand for a currency establishes its value. Monetary policy also has an impact on its value.
Currencies with high domestic interest rates appreciate while those with lower rates get weaker. Nations enjoying greater trade surplus command a stronger currency. Currencies in high demand for savings, trade settlement, tourism, and education also appreciate.
AUD, as a commodity currency, enjoys multiple tailwinds, making it resilient going into 2023. Economic re-opening in China after a shift away from zero-covid stance is expected to increase demand for commodities. Easing political relations saw China secure its first Australian coal cargos in two years. Bullish commodity prices will boost AUD.
Australia's trade surplus widened to $13.2B in November when it was expected to decline to $10.5B. Growing trade surplus bodes well for AUD.
China re-opening and easing political relationships benefits Australia in more ways than one. Chinese travelers and students are starting to return to Australia further boosting demand for its dollar.
AUSTRALIA IS A TOP COMMODITY EXPORTER MAKING AUD A COMMODITY PLAY
Australia produces copious quantities of crude and three-fourths of that is exported. Australia is one of the planet’s largest exporters of iron ore and coal. Iron Ore forms the single largest source of export revenue worth AUD 133 billion in 2021-22 according to Mineral Council of Australia. Australia also exports aluminum.
As seen in the chart below, correlation between CME Iron Ore Futures prices to CME Micro AUD/USD Futures is tight at upwards of 90% and tends to move in tandem. Bullish Iron Ore prices augur well for the AUD.
CHINA IS AUSTRALIA’S NUMBER ONE TRADING PARTNER
More than half of every commodity is imported into China. It should be no surprise that China is Australia’s top trading partner.
Importing more than USD 100 billion of Australian products, China accounts for more than 30% of all Australian exports. China is the world’s largest steel producer for which Iron Ore is a key ingredient. Predictably, China accounts for 80% of Australian Iron Ore exports.
China is expected to remain a key producer and consumer of steel as its One Belt One Road requires huge investments in steel-intensive projects both within and outside its borders.
RBA TO REMAIN HAWKISH IN FENDING OFF DOMESTIC INFLATION
Australian inflation eased to 6.9% in October 2022 but shot back up to 7.3% in November beating expectations. The Reserve Bank of Australia (“RBA”) remains hawkish in the fight against inflation as it wrestles to bring inflation down to the 2%-3% target.
Economists anticipate that it might take a quarter or two before reaching “peak-inflation” in Australia. Meanwhile, RBA will keep or lift rates higher which will strengthen AUD even more.
KING DOLLAR SHEDS ITS SHINE
The US Dollar Index (DXY) measures the US dollar’s value against a basket of six currencies comprising of Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona, and the Swiss Franc. The USD rallied strongly in 2022 while investors’ flight to safety tendency demonstrated dollar’s heft as the global reserve.
However, the DXY has shed 11.2% since touching a high of 114.778 on September 28 to close at 102.204 on January 13, 2023. Slowing inflation in the US is expected to ease the Fed’s hawkish aggression towards rate hikes. This will force the dollar to further lose its value against other currencies.
Anticipating this, asset managers have reduced their net long positions in the DXY by 45% over the last twelve weeks while leveraged funds continue to entrench their net short positions by 3% during the same period.
TECHNICALS POINT TO AUD BULLS AND DXY BEARS
On January 6, AUD pushed past the 20-day moving average it has tested since December 27. The Bollinger Bands having narrowed until then is now broadening out with the AUD breaking out to the top. With the AUD trading around the Pivot point, it is now trending up and has traded past the first key resistance on January 12.
Mirroring the same trend but to the reverse, the DXY attempted to rally past the 20-day moving average, but only to fail and sink below the immediate support at 102.643. The Bollinger band having narrowed until January 6 has given way with the DXY breaking out downwards shedding more than 2% with five daily red candles in succession.
A bull in AUD and a bear in USD creates a compelling backdrop for a bouncy AUD in the near term. In vindicating this sentiment, the options open interest in CME Micro AUD/USD Futures shows a put-call ratio of 0.83 pointing to bullish view among options market participants.
TRADE SET-UP
Each long position in CME Micro AUD/USD Futures (March 2023) provides exposure to AUD 10,000. If AUD moves by 0.0001 point, the Micro AUD/USD future moves by $1.
Entry: 0.695
Target: 0.736
Stop Loss: 0.668
Reward/Risk Ratio: 1.52
Profit at Target: $410
Loss at Stop Loss: $270
MARKET DATA
CME Real-time Market Data helps identify trading set-ups and express market views better. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com/gopro/
DISCLAIMER
Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
This material has been published for general education and circulation only. It does not offer or solicit to buy or sell and does not address specific investment or risk management objectives, financial situation, or needs of any person.
Advice should be sought from a financial advisor regarding the suitability of any investment or risk management product before investing or adopting any investment or hedging strategies. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
All examples used in this workshop are hypothetical and are used for explanation purposes only. Contents in this material is not investment advice and/or may or may not be the results of actual market experience.
Mint Finance does not endorse or shall not be liable for the content of information provided by third parties. Use of and/or reliance on such information is entirely at the reader’s own risk.
These materials are not intended for distribution to, or for use by or to be acted on by any person or entity located in any jurisdiction where such distribution, use or action would be contrary to applicable laws or regulations or would subject Mint Finance to any registration or licensing requirement.
The Dollar Index (“DXY”) is sinking through support levels even as the AUD rises past key resistance points. Amid solid tailwinds favoring AUD and formidable headwinds facing the USD, this case study argues for a long position in CME Micro AUD/USD Futures expiring in March 2023.
Thus far, the AUD is 2023's top-performing currency. It appears to have raced ahead of itself with near-term consolidation expected before resuming its ascent. Hence, an entry at 0.695 with a target of 0.736 and a stop-loss at 0.668 will deliver a reward-to-risk ratio of 1.52.
WHAT DRIVES THE VALUE OF A CURRENCY?
Supply and demand for a currency establishes its value. Monetary policy also has an impact on its value.
Currencies with high domestic interest rates appreciate while those with lower rates get weaker. Nations enjoying greater trade surplus command a stronger currency. Currencies in high demand for savings, trade settlement, tourism, and education also appreciate.
AUD, as a commodity currency, enjoys multiple tailwinds, making it resilient going into 2023. Economic re-opening in China after a shift away from zero-covid stance is expected to increase demand for commodities. Easing political relations saw China secure its first Australian coal cargos in two years. Bullish commodity prices will boost AUD.
Australia's trade surplus widened to $13.2B in November when it was expected to decline to $10.5B. Growing trade surplus bodes well for AUD.
China re-opening and easing political relationships benefits Australia in more ways than one. Chinese travelers and students are starting to return to Australia further boosting demand for its dollar.
AUSTRALIA IS A TOP COMMODITY EXPORTER MAKING AUD A COMMODITY PLAY
Australia produces copious quantities of crude and three-fourths of that is exported. Australia is one of the planet’s largest exporters of iron ore and coal. Iron Ore forms the single largest source of export revenue worth AUD 133 billion in 2021-22 according to Mineral Council of Australia. Australia also exports aluminum.
As seen in the chart below, correlation between CME Iron Ore Futures prices to CME Micro AUD/USD Futures is tight at upwards of 90% and tends to move in tandem. Bullish Iron Ore prices augur well for the AUD.
CHINA IS AUSTRALIA’S NUMBER ONE TRADING PARTNER
More than half of every commodity is imported into China. It should be no surprise that China is Australia’s top trading partner.
Importing more than USD 100 billion of Australian products, China accounts for more than 30% of all Australian exports. China is the world’s largest steel producer for which Iron Ore is a key ingredient. Predictably, China accounts for 80% of Australian Iron Ore exports.
China is expected to remain a key producer and consumer of steel as its One Belt One Road requires huge investments in steel-intensive projects both within and outside its borders.
RBA TO REMAIN HAWKISH IN FENDING OFF DOMESTIC INFLATION
Australian inflation eased to 6.9% in October 2022 but shot back up to 7.3% in November beating expectations. The Reserve Bank of Australia (“RBA”) remains hawkish in the fight against inflation as it wrestles to bring inflation down to the 2%-3% target.
Economists anticipate that it might take a quarter or two before reaching “peak-inflation” in Australia. Meanwhile, RBA will keep or lift rates higher which will strengthen AUD even more.
KING DOLLAR SHEDS ITS SHINE
The US Dollar Index (DXY) measures the US dollar’s value against a basket of six currencies comprising of Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona, and the Swiss Franc. The USD rallied strongly in 2022 while investors’ flight to safety tendency demonstrated dollar’s heft as the global reserve.
However, the DXY has shed 11.2% since touching a high of 114.778 on September 28 to close at 102.204 on January 13, 2023. Slowing inflation in the US is expected to ease the Fed’s hawkish aggression towards rate hikes. This will force the dollar to further lose its value against other currencies.
Anticipating this, asset managers have reduced their net long positions in the DXY by 45% over the last twelve weeks while leveraged funds continue to entrench their net short positions by 3% during the same period.
TECHNICALS POINT TO AUD BULLS AND DXY BEARS
On January 6, AUD pushed past the 20-day moving average it has tested since December 27. The Bollinger Bands having narrowed until then is now broadening out with the AUD breaking out to the top. With the AUD trading around the Pivot point, it is now trending up and has traded past the first key resistance on January 12.
Mirroring the same trend but to the reverse, the DXY attempted to rally past the 20-day moving average, but only to fail and sink below the immediate support at 102.643. The Bollinger band having narrowed until January 6 has given way with the DXY breaking out downwards shedding more than 2% with five daily red candles in succession.
A bull in AUD and a bear in USD creates a compelling backdrop for a bouncy AUD in the near term. In vindicating this sentiment, the options open interest in CME Micro AUD/USD Futures shows a put-call ratio of 0.83 pointing to bullish view among options market participants.
TRADE SET-UP
Each long position in CME Micro AUD/USD Futures (March 2023) provides exposure to AUD 10,000. If AUD moves by 0.0001 point, the Micro AUD/USD future moves by $1.
Entry: 0.695
Target: 0.736
Stop Loss: 0.668
Reward/Risk Ratio: 1.52
Profit at Target: $410
Loss at Stop Loss: $270
MARKET DATA
CME Real-time Market Data helps identify trading set-ups and express market views better. If you have futures in your trading portfolio, you can check out on CME Group data plans available that suit your trading needs www.tradingview.com/gopro/
DISCLAIMER
Trade ideas cited above are for illustration only, as an integral part of a case study to demonstrate the fundamental concepts in risk management under the market scenarios being discussed. They shall not be construed as investment recommendations or advice. Nor are they used to promote any specific products, or services.
This material has been published for general education and circulation only. It does not offer or solicit to buy or sell and does not address specific investment or risk management objectives, financial situation, or needs of any person.
Advice should be sought from a financial advisor regarding the suitability of any investment or risk management product before investing or adopting any investment or hedging strategies. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
All examples used in this workshop are hypothetical and are used for explanation purposes only. Contents in this material is not investment advice and/or may or may not be the results of actual market experience.
Mint Finance does not endorse or shall not be liable for the content of information provided by third parties. Use of and/or reliance on such information is entirely at the reader’s own risk.
These materials are not intended for distribution to, or for use by or to be acted on by any person or entity located in any jurisdiction where such distribution, use or action would be contrary to applicable laws or regulations or would subject Mint Finance to any registration or licensing requirement.
Trade closed manually:
On the 7th of February, the RBA announced a 25bps rate hike. This saw the AUD/USD pair rally 1.5%. However, in the following weeks, strong economic data from the US has led to the USD increasing its strength. Given that there has not been any significant news related to AUD since then, the currency is likely to move based on movements in DXY going forward.
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