AUD/USD keeps the red, flirts with 100-DMA

By FXStreet The Australian dollar keeps losses and languishes near lows versus its American counterpart in mid-Asia, with AUD/USD almost losing sight of 0.74 handle.

AUD/USD rejected ahead of hourly 100-SMA at 0.7383

Currently, the AUD/USD pair drops -0.20% to 0.7348, testing daily lows struck at 0.7345, where 100-DMA intersects. The Aussie resumed the broader downtrend after having witnessed a temporary relief rally the day earlier, as the persisting risk sentiment came under pressure after the oil prices fell back in the red, weighing down on the higher-yielding assets such as equities, the AUD and so on.

However, the downside remains cushioned around the mid-point of 0.73 handle as upbeat domestic data from the OZ economy continue to underpin. Earlier today, the Australian consumer sentiment data came in way stronger than the previous reading, indicating that the Aus consumers’ sentiment got a huge boost from the RBA rate cut decision last month.

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment index jumped 8.5% in May to a January-2014 high of 103.2, after sliding to a seven-month low of 95.1 in April. While, Australia March Home loans came in at -0.2% m/m versus -1.5% last.

Looking ahead, amid a quiet economic calendar this week, focus now remains on the broader …read more

Source:: FX Street