Lower GDP Takes Wind From AUD Sails

 | Dec 07, 2016 03:53AM ET

A much lower than expected Australian 3Q GDP sends the AUD lower across the board.

Australian Q3 GDP fell by a much lower -0.5%q/q today against a consensus forecast of -0.1%. Household spending has failed to recover from a lacklustre Q2, and across other sectors, house construction, CapEx and government spending were all weak. Although trade (read mining), was weak at -0.2% there is some hope for a better Q4 at least from this sector as commodity prices continue to rise. Overall then a much worse performance than even the most pessimistic anticipated. With the Australian Government looking over its shoulder at the upcoming S&P credit review and maintaining its coveted Triple-A rating, no much help can be expected on the fiscal front.

The effect on AUD/USD was unsurprising, falling from the day’s highs at 7480 to a low of 7415 before a tepid bounce to 7430 where we have spent the rest of the day. Short term support is at 7412 on the hourly chart followed by 7370.