Reporting on this piece in Japan's Nikkei but I'll add a caveat (the article already does, but I'll add another).

  • The currencies of Australia, South Korea and Brazil -- nations reliant on a healthy Chinese economy -- are facing sell-offs in the market as fear of an economic slowdown in China spreads.
  • "When China sneezes, Australia catches a cold." So says Tokuhiro Wakabayashi, co-branch manager of State Street Bank and Trust's Tokyo branch, commenting on the Australian dollar's sharp depreciation.

Nikkei adds, which is best viewed as a caveat although maybe they didn't intend it that way:

  • The currency touched a roughly nine-month low against the U.S. dollar last week.
  • The Australian dollar also recently dipped under 80 yen, marking a year-to-date low.

Yeah ... be wary of pieces in mainstream press warning on currency moves ahead. Good of the Nikkei to note AUD is already hitting 9 month lows against the USD ... markets tend to take a forward view and the situation on the ground in China (economy losing momentum) and Australia (mounting coronavirus cases recently) has been a hot topic amongst traders for many months already. Not fresh news.

Nikkei piece is here for more (may be gated).

Weekly AUD/USD chart:

Reporting on this piece in Japan's Nikkei but I'll add a caveat (the article already does, but I'll add another).