It was another subdued session for major FX. Political machinations in Japan to form the next government continue, and they did so today against the backdrop of a quiet yen. USD/JPY has barely tracked a 30 point range.

On the data agenda were Australian inflation figures:

  • the Q3 headline rate came in at 2.8% y/y, below the top of the 2-3% RBA target band and its lowest since early 2021
  • the Q3 core ‘trimmed mean’ y/y came in at a still lofty 3.5%
  • interestingly, the y/y for September month came in at 2.1% - the monthly reads are not the ‘official’ CPI rate, but encouraging nonetheless

The caveat to the low headline rate is that it benefitted from government temporary rebates and subsidies (cost of living relief). These will roll off and headline inflation is likely to pop back up again in the quarters ahead.

The data barely moved the needle on RBA rate cut expectations, many analysts (not all) favour a February 2025 cut while market pricing is looking to May 2025. AUD/USD didn’t move around much, a slight dip and rally and since has lost ground to its session low, helped along by a broader USD bid.

EUR, NZD, CAD, GBP have all lost a little ground against the USD. There is little fresh news flow.

Australian CPI data release wrap 30 October 2024 2