Sell the Rumor for the aussie?
Written by A Forex View From Afar on Monday, October 06, 2008The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to cut the Cash Rate by 50 basis points, to 6.50% on Monday, and if so it would be the second cut in Australian interest rates this year. In September the central bank cut 25 basis points from the record 7.25% overnight rate at that time, quoting a reduction in forward growth potential. If market expectations come through the bank would be in its first cutting cycle since 2001, when the bank cut from 6.00% to 4.25% over a 20 month period.
In the last few months the aussie dropped as the market started to price in the fact that the yield differential would be reduced. From the high reached in July the pair has tumbled more than 2500 pips, or 27%. Add to that, today the pair tumbled nearly 700 pips, which is a record, for the time being. In addition to the expected rate-cut today there were other forces at work, including risk aversion and the steep drop in commodities from the last few weeks.
The market is very likely to remain in a risk aversion phase for the following days, adding selling pressure to the aussie. In addition, as the credit crunch deepens, the market’s expectations for further rate cuts from the RBA increases, something that is aussie negative. It is very likely that tomorrow we may see only the “sell the rumor” part, while the “buy the news” will be left without a job because of the current market circumstances.
Traders should take care going long after the news release on the aussie, and smaller targets/smaller lot size would be a recommended strategy. In the case that the market actually buys the aussie after the news, a retrace of today’s move would be welcomed, since it gives the market the chance to get additional momentum to break lower.
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