Governor Lowe stated that the yield had traded slightly above this level in recent days and the bank will, therefore, resume buying bonds in the secondary market.It reiterated that the yield target will remain in place until progress is made on the inflation and unemployment targets.The RBA expressed some optimism that the downturn is not as severe as earlier, although the phrasing was different as it noted that recovery is underway in most of Australia with the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria having a major effect on the Victorian economy. All rights reserved.GBP/AUD Exchange Rate Strengthens on RBA Sounds Concerns over Victoria Lockdown August 14, 2020 - Written by John Cameron. The Pound Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate is trending higher this morning after the Reserve Bank Australia (RBA) warned about the impact of Victoria’s lockdown on Australia’s economic recovery.At the time of writing the GBP/AUD exchange rate is currently trading at around AU$1.8228, up 0.6% from this morning’s opening rate.The Australian Dollar (AUD) is edging lower this morning, in the wake of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) latest policy meeting.While the RBA opted to leave its monetary policy untouched as expected, AUD sentiment was dented somewhat by the RBA’s acknowledgement that Victoria’s lockdown is undermining the country’s economic recovery.‘The virus outbreak in Victoria and subdued growth in aggregate demand more broadly mean that it is likely to be some months before a meaningful recovery in the labour market is underway.’Lowe also warned that Australia’s recovery is also highly dependent on the global fight against the coronavirus, adding:‘Globally, an uneven economic recovery is underway after a very severe contraction in the first half of 2020‘The future path of that recovery is highly dependent on containment of the virus. According to MUFG, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will resume bond buying to cap yields, but did not voice opposition to the currency’s level in the latest statement which will leave the door open to further AUD gains. The updated baseline projection is for the economy to contract by 6% in 2020 followed by an expansion of 5% in 2021.The Australian dollar has rallied strongly since March with AUD/USD above 0.7000 from 20-year lows near 0.5500. RBA's governor said that the Aussie dollar is trading broadly in line with the fundamentals. The Australian dollar is currently benefitting from improving cyclical economic momentum in China, broad-based US dollar weakness and rising commodity prices.Overall, it considers that a significant set-back for the global recovery will likely be required to re-weaken the Australian dollar.The bank is forecasting AUD/USD at 0.7200 at the end of 2020.AUD/USD traded around 0.7140 ahead of the New York open with Sterling/dollar at 1.8250 from 3-week highs around 1.84 highs last week.Save money on your currency transfers with TorFX, voted Tim is an economist and has been involved in financial markets for over 20 years as an analyst. The Pound Sterling US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate remained flat this morning, leaving the pairing trading at around $1.3115. According to MUFG, the currency is now close to fair value.MUFG notes that there was no mention of currency levels in the statement.“While the RBA noted concern over higher shorter yields, it was notable that they did not signal any concern over the strength of the Australian dollar which was not mentioned at all in the updated policy statement.”Markets have been concerned that the RBA would intervene verbally in an attempt to curb currency gains, especially as the currency is no longer undervalued on a long-term basis.The lack of pushback again from the RBA against the recent strength of the Australian dollar leaves the door open for further gains. pisma; 1: EUR : 7,475000 AUD/USD fills the gap from the start of the week even though Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Philip Lowe jawbones the Australian Dollar. The Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate is ticking lower this morning, after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) indicated it is happy with the current strength of the ‘Aussie’. AUD/USD continues to trade in the green near 0.7025 after Lowe's speech. High or rising infection rates have seen a recent loss of growth momentum in some economies.
The downturn in employment may have further to run as the government’s furlough scheme is phased out unless demand rises sharply.’This had fed into fears that the UK could be facing an unemployment crisis as the government’s furlough scheme is wound down over the next couple of months.Copyright © 2020 Future Currency Forecast. By contrast, in China, economic growth has been relatively strong.’Meanwhile, AUD investors will be kept on their toes by the publication of Australia’s latest GDP figures overnight.These are expected to report a record slump of growth in the second quarter will have plunged Australia into its first recession since 1991, likely limiting the appeal of the ‘Aussie’.At the same time, the Pound is on the rise this morning as the UK’s latest PMI release confirmed UK manufacturing activity struck a six-year high in August.According to data published by IHS Markit, the UK’s manufacturing index printed at 55.2 last month, up from 53.3 in July.However, while GBP investors welcomed the bump in activity there were concerns that job losses are growing.‘The labour market remains worryingly weak, with job losses registered for the seventh straight month.