Market news
27.05.2022, 00:18

When is Australia Retail Sales and how could the data affect AUD/USD?

Retail Sales overview

Early Friday, the market sees preliminary readings of Australia's seasonally adjusted Retail Sales for April month at 01:30 GMT. Market consensus suggests a downbeat MoM print of 0.9% versus 1.6% prior readings, suggesting the lack of sustained improvement in economic activity after positing the softer outcome in March.

Given the recently mixed Aussie data challenging the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) hawkish bias, not to forget covid-led lockdowns in China, today’s Aussie Retail Sales appear the key for the AUD/USD traders.

Ahead of the data, TD Securities said,

We expect retail sales in Australia to rise by 1.4% m/m in April, extending the 1.6% m/m gain in March. The April holidays should give a boost to consumer spending while we expect a further rebound in sales from Queensland and New South Wales which experienced severe flooding and extreme rainfall in February & March. A strong retail beat should give the RBA confidence that taming inflation is its top priority as economic fundamentals are strong. We stick with our call for a 40bps hike by the Bank in June.

On the other hand, Westpac said,

Card spending indicators suggest retail sales should sustain strong momentum (March +1.6%) but weakening consumer sentiment and elevated prices add downside risk. Westpac forecasts: 1.3%mth, consensus is 1.0%.

How could it affect AUD/USD?

AUD/USD remains sidelined around 0.7100, marking the third lackluster day ahead of the key Aussie data. The pair’s latest moves fail to cheer a softer US dollar amid market anxiety, as well as fears of global recession due to China’s covid-led lockdowns and the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

That said, Australia’s seasonally adjusted Retail Sales for April is expected to ease to 0.9%, versus 1.6% prior, amid hopes of a recovery in consumer demand due to the restoration of normal life after severe flooding. However, softer consumer sentiment and inflation fears seem to test the outcome.

It’s worth noting that softer-than-expected Aussie Retail Sales figures will weigh on the AUD/USD prices, especially after the pair’s recent difficulties in picking up bids. Alternatively, strong data might back the RBA’s hawkish bias and underpin further upside towards refreshing the weekly top above 0.7100.

Technically, AUD/USD buyers seem running out of fuel after rising to 0.7127 on Monday. Even so, a convergence of the 21-DMA and previous resistance line from early April, around 0.7030, becomes necessary for the bear’s entry.

Key Notes

AUD/USD bulls flirt with 0.7100 with eyes on Aussie Retail Sales, US PCE Inflation

AUD/USD Forecast: Ignoring stocks’ rally may hint at an upcoming slump

About Australian Retail Sales

The Retail Sales released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics is a survey of goods sold by retailers is based on a sampling of retail stores of different types and sizes and it''s considered as an indicator of the pace of the Australian economy. It shows the performance of the retail sector over the short and mid-term. Positive economic growth anticipates bullish trends for the AUD, while a low reading is seen as negative or bearish.

© 2000-2024. All rights reserved.

This site is managed by Teletrade D.J. LLC 2351 LLC 2022 (Euro House, Richmond Hill Road, Kingstown, VC0100, St. Vincent and the Grenadines).

The information on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute any investment advice.

The company does not serve or provide services to customers who are residents of the US, Canada, Iran, The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Yemen and FATF blacklisted countries.

AML Website Summary

Risk Disclosure

Making transactions on financial markets with marginal financial instruments opens up wide possibilities and allows investors who are willing to take risks to earn high profits, carrying a potentially high risk of losses at the same time. Therefore you should responsibly approach the issue of choosing the appropriate investment strategy, taking the available resources into account, before starting trading.

Privacy Policy

Use of the information: full or partial use of materials from this website must always be referenced to TeleTrade as the source of information. Use of the materials on the Internet must be accompanied by a hyperlink to teletrade.org. Automatic import of materials and information from this website is prohibited.

Please contact our PR department if you have any questions or need assistance at pr@teletrade.global.

Bank
transfers
Feedback
Live Chat E-mail
Up
Choose your language / location