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The AUD to USD exchange rate is influenced by a range of economic indicators, including interest rates, inflation, and employment figures.
In the past, a strong Australian economy, driven by high commodity prices and low unemployment, has led to a strong AUD.
However, a slowdown in the economy, coupled with a decline in commodity prices, can cause the AUD to weaken against the USD.
AUD to USD Forecast
As of October 10, 2024, the AUD to USD exchange rate is trading at .67 US cents.
ANZ head of FX research Mahjabeen Zaman anticipated a slight rise towards .69 US cents by the middle of the year, but it's currently below that projection.
According to ANZ, the Australian dollar is expected to strengthen in 2024 due to a gradually easing USD and improving risk sentiment.
By the middle of the year, ANZ expected the AUD to be trading at .69 US cents, but it's currently at .67 US cents.
Westpac predicted a slightly lower conversion of .68 US cents, while NAB was more bullish, forecasting a steady rise to .71 by mid-year.
The middle of the year saw the AUD trading at .67 US cents, below ANZ's expected .69 US cents.
Current Exchange Rate
The current exchange rate between the Australian dollar (AUD) and the United States dollar (USD) is a crucial factor in determining the forecast.
As of the latest data, the AUD is trading at around 0.72 USD, which is a slight decrease from its peak of 0.75 USD earlier in the year.
The exchange rate has been affected by the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate decisions, which have been aimed at controlling inflation and stabilizing the economy.
The AUD has been relatively stable in recent months, with a minimal fluctuation of 0.01 USD, making it a good time for investors to consider making a move.
The current exchange rate is expected to continue its downward trend, with some economists predicting a further decrease to around 0.69 USD by the end of the year.
AUD Performance
The Australian dollar (AUD) has had a bit of a rough ride against the US dollar (USD) in recent years. In 2023, it hit a 10-month low of .63 US cents in September, after a gradual decline in the months prior. This decline was no surprise, given the ongoing global crises that affected the market.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) explains that Australia has a floating exchange rate, meaning the movements in the Australian dollar exchange rate are determined by the demand for, and supply of, Australian dollars in the foreign exchange market. Interest rates and inflation figures also play a significant role in how the Australian dollar performs on the foreign exchange market.
Here are some key factors that have impacted the AUD's performance against the USD:
- RBA interest hikes: Regular increases to the official cash rate have helped drive the value of the Aussie dollar higher.
- Inflation: High inflation tends to drive the value of the Aussie dollar down due to reduced purchasing power.
- Economic slowdown: A global recession could lead to reduced demand from China and other Asian countries for Australia's key exports, pushing the value of the Australian dollar down.
- Mining: Commodities are a major driver of the Australian economy, with increases in demand for commodities driving the value of the AUD up, but falling prices having a negative effect.
- Farming: Agriculture is another important driver of the Australian economy, with impacts of climate change and controversy surrounding live animal exports affecting cattle and sheep exports.
Despite some minor fluctuations, the Australian dollar was worth .68 US cents on December 31, 2023, and is currently hovering just below this amount at .67 US cents.
Interesting Facts About the AUD
The Australian dollar isn't a safe-haven currency, which means it's less likely to be affected by large market fluctuations.
The AUD/USD rate is heavily influenced by the Reserve Bank of Australia's monetary policy, with interest rate hikes causing the Aussie dollar to increase.
The US dollar, on the other hand, is a safe-haven currency that tends to rise in value during times of market uncertainty.
A dovish Federal Reserve policy can cause the US dollar to decline, which is the opposite of what happens when the Fed is hawkish.
The Australian dollar is more actively traded during the Asian and US sessions, but it's most liquid from 21:00 to 06:30 GMT+2, which is a great time to trade the AUD to USD.
Australian Performance Last Year
The Australian dollar had a tough year in 2023, hitting a 10-month low of 0.63 US cents in September.
Ongoing global crises significantly affected the market, making this decline no surprise.
Australia has a floating exchange rate, meaning the movements in the Australian dollar exchange rate are determined by the demand for, and supply of, Australian dollars in the foreign exchange market.
The AUD fell against the USD, which has even higher interest rates than Australia, at a steady rate for the better part of the past two years.
By June 30, 2023, $1 AUD was worth 0.66 US cents, missing the forecast that it would hit 0.70 US cents by the middle of the year.
The Australian dollar was worth 0.68 US cents on December 31, 2023, and is now hovering just below this amount at 0.67 US cents.
Australian Long-Term
The Australian dollar has been on a wild ride lately, and its long-term performance is a topic of much interest. The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) interest hikes have been a major factor, with the official cash rate increasing from a record low of 0.10% in April 2022 to 4.35% as of August 2024.
Interest rate hikes tend to increase foreign investment demand for the AUD, which helps drive the value of the Aussie dollar higher. This is one reason why banks are forecasting a stronger AUD in the long term.
The RBA's inflation target aims to keep annual consumer price inflation between 2 and 3%. High inflation tends to drive the value of the Aussie dollar down due to reduced purchasing power. This is a key metric that will impact the price of AUD in 2024.
Banks are predicting a range of exchange rates for the AUD/USD pair by the end of 2024, from 0.70 to 0.78 US cents. Here's a breakdown of their forecasts:
The Australian dollar's performance is also influenced by global economic factors, including the demand for commodities and the impact of climate change on the farming industry. With rising interest rates and inflation impacting economies around the world, there's the very real threat of a global recession, which could lead to reduced demand from China and other Asian countries for Australia's key exports.
The RBA's monetary policy has a significant impact on the AUD, with interest rate hikes driving the value of the Aussie dollar up and rate cuts driving it down. The Federal Reserve's monetary policy also affects the AUD, with a hawkish mood pushing the US dollar's price up and a dovish mood pushing it down.
Overall, the Australian dollar's long-term performance will depend on a range of factors, including interest rates, inflation, and global economic trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Australian dollar rise in 2024?
Yes, the Australian dollar is expected to rise in 2024 as the global economy recovers, driven by a decrease in the US interest rate and low market volatility. This could lead to a strong recovery of the AUD/USD exchange rate.
Sources
- https://www.litefinance.org/trading/trading-instruments/currency/audusd/
- https://30rates.com/australian-dollar-aud-usd-forecast
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/au/investing/currencies/aud-to-usd-forecast-and-trends/
- https://www.finder.com.au/international-money-transfers/australian-dollar-forecast
- https://paxforex.org/forex-fundamental-analysis/audusd-forecast-may-15th-2024
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