Forex: AUD/USD above 1.0450 on better data

AUD/USD has just spiked to session and fresh 3-day highs at 1.0453, and rising, once Aus trade balance figures are out showing a smaller deficit than expected at -0.43B vs -0.81B, coming from a previous of -2.79B, though still in the negative since a year ago. HIA house price index has also showed a better than expected figure at +1.6% vs +0.0%, coming from a +0.3% from previous quarter. These numbers add to the case for RBA leaving rates unchanged later on at 03:30 GMT.

“The Australian dollar continues in a consolidation phase,” says FXstreet.com Independent Analyst Ivan Delgado, “with well defined levels of support and resistance at 1.0350/60 and 1.0480 respectively. Price action today will be governed by the RBA meeting, with a rate hold likely to put pressure on the upper part of the range,” Ivan adds. The pair is up +0.33% for the week so far.

Immediate resistance to the upside shows at current levels as Thursday's highs 1.0451, followed by Jan 25 highs at 1.0470, and Jan 30 highs at 1.0477. To the downside, nearest term support lies at yesterday’s highs 1.0440, followed by yesterday’s lows at 1.0411, and Jan 28/31 lows at 1.0383/79.