FX Analysis – USD drifts lower, AUD outperforms after RBA, Gold and JPY push higher

USD drifted lower in Tuesday’s session, the US dollar index retracing a good chunk of Mondays gains. Regional bank fears were at the fore, with NYCB continuing its steep decline in an otherwise quiet session news wise. This saw the haven of bonds bid, sending yields lower and dragging the USD down with them. DXY dipping back below its 100 Day SMA.

AUD outperform after a hawkish hold from the RBA in their February meeting on Tuesday. The Aussie Central Bank left rates unchanged as expected, but in a break with other major central banks, that have recently removed their tightening bias messaging, stated that further rate hikes cannot be ruled out. AUDUSD pushing up to test the Support/Resistance level of 0.6525 which will be a key level to watch in the week ahead.

Lower US yields causing a drop in yield differentials saw JPY gain, with USDJPY dipping below 148. A Reuters report that claimed that the BoJ is laying the groundwork to end NIRP by April also lending some support to the Japanese currency.

A weaker USD and some haven flows on bank fears saw gold bounce higher after two down sessions. XAUUSD continues to trade in a tight range with the upside capped at 2070 USD an ounce and good support to the downside around 2020.