Aussie fails to hold 0.9000!

Market Update 

The Aussie Dollar rallied in the early afternoon yesterday as predictions of poor US Retail Sales and PPI weighed on the flailing greenback. This is in addition to fresh credit and growth concerns. Position squaring and profit taking at the end of the US session ahead of tonight’s US CPI out has pushed the Aussie down 40pts since 7.30am.

Traders were right to sell off the greenback in apprehension to US Retail Sales as it was released at a measly 0.2% compared to last months result of 0.7%. Adding insult to injury an extremely poor US PPI figure was released at 0.1% against a 0.3% expectation and was 0.6% lower than last months figure. This points the finger of expectation towards a low CPI figure to be released tonight. A low figure will support the recent FOMC's decision to cut interest rates. Further cuts to rejuvenate the US housing industry are yet to be determined. The Aussie lapped this up to trade, albeit temporarily, above 0.9000 after the announcements.

Over in the UK, the BOE signalled that interest rate cuts may be needed after its first formal investigation into the credit crunch. The BOE have steadily been hiking interest rates to combat inflation though from their forecasts they see that inflation will remain within the 2% band expected over the next two years if interest rates are cut to 5.5%.The AUDGBP has rallied on the news to make fresh weekly highs of 0.4380 whilst the USD has appreciated.

Profit taking and the squaring of trader’s positions at the end of the US session has pushed the AUDUSD and other AUD crosses down before US CPI is released early in the US session tomorrow.

Trading Range

0.8940-0.9040