Australia CPI was unchanged at 1.9% yoy in Q1, below expectation of 2.0%. RBA trimmed mean CPI rose to 1.9% yoy, up from 1.8% yoy and beat expectation of 1.8% yoy. RBA weighted median CPI was unchanged at 2.0% yoy, beat expectation of 1.9% yoy.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics noted in the release that “while the annual CPI rose 1.9 per cent, most East Coast cities have continued to experience annual inflation above 2.0 per cent, due in part to the strength in prices related to Housing and Food. Softer economic conditions in Darwin and Perth have resulted in annual inflation remaining subdued at 1.1 and 0.9 per cent respectively.”
AUD/USD spiked lower to 0.7576 after the release but quickly recovered. Firstly, the decline is a bit stretched after AUD/USD fell for three days. Secondly, the CPI data just affirmed the case that RBA is in no rush to raise interest rate. For now, AUD/USD is on track for 0.7500 key support level in near term.
10 year yield showed hesitation ahead of 3%
10 year yield jumped to as high as 2.990 during regular trading hour overnight but struggled to extend further higher. TNX then closed at 2.973, up 0.22, but below open at 2.975. The development showed some hesitation ahead of key 3.000 level. It looks like the market might have to take a bit more time to digest the sharp move since last week.
But for now, there is no change in the near term up trend. And we’d expect a test the real key resistance zone soon. That is, 2014 high at 3.036 and 100% projection of 1.336 to 2.621 from 2.034 at 3.318. This is the key area that will define the long term trend.