Déjà Vu All Over Again For The AUD/USD

 | Sep 07, 2016 01:08AM ET

The primary sentiment driver overnight was the dismal non-manufacturing (services) ISM report, which declined from 55.5 to 51.4, the lowest level since early 2010. The USD nosedived on the print as the re-pricing for September FOMC rate hike fell to less than 20 % probability. The significance of the ISM services print cannot go understated as services account for 70 % + of the value of US GDP and will likely create jitters regarding US Q3 GDP.

Other asset classes have reacted on Cue, 10-Year Treasury Yields toppled to 1.53% and with the likelihood of the Feds on the fence in ‘lower for longer‘ mode, the S&P was able to close in the green erasing earlier losses.

Australia Dollar- Yield Appeal

“Déjà vu all over again,” as the chase for yield is back in vogue.

The Aussie was trading very well bid going into yesterday RBA decision and has rocketed higher on the back of the dismal US ISM services report now approaching .7700 level in early trade.

With the carry-trade mentality taking hold, expect external factors and the broader USD trend to lead the charge when traders adopt this mindset. With September and December rate hike probabilities likely to move lower, we could see a further drop on the USD, which would open up for a test of the August AUD/USD .7753 high.

A few takeaways from yesterday’s RBA decision.

The overall tone was one of neutrality with little in the way of forward guidance, which indicates the RBA is “chilling out” sending a clear message that they are content to evaluate national data but certainly in no rush to cut interest rates. However, given the RBA’s steadfast, dedicated focus on inflation; November becomes an interesting meeting. At the meeting, the RBA will have the Q3 CPI data as well as the comfort of a clearer picture on the probable trajectory of US interest rates.

Keep in mind; it was Governor Stevens' last meeting, and it was always more likely he was going to defer to incoming governor Lowe to leave his policy mark with the next RBA decision.

Of a regional concern, NZ manufacturers and exporters are reporting a 15 % drop in sales with export sales tumbling 20% year over year as the high NZD/USD takes grip.