Commentary by Commonwealth Bank of Australia's currency strategist, Elias Haddad
![](http://az705044.vo.msecnd.net/20180411/11-4-2018-11-19-54-am.png)
- The aussie may have a "more subdued" appreciation path given that the RBA appears in no rush to raise rates
- Base case is still for AUD/USD to trade higher towards 0.83 bye year-end
- Sees the AUD rising thanks to solid economic activities and improving global growth and favourable Australian balance of payments
- US dollar is on a downward trend
- Risks are that RBA holds rates longer than expected, US-China trade tensions and faster pace of Fed rate hikes
- CBA expects the RBA to hike rates in November to 1.75%
As highlighted last month, CBA's forecast is sort of the outlier compared to the median forecast which only sees the RBA move to hike the cash rate in Q1 2019.