08.01.202602:20:02UTC+00Australian Dollar Eases from 15-Month High

On Thursday, the Australian dollar slipped below $0.672, pulling back from recent fifteen-month highs. This decline comes as investors continue to scrutinize the likelihood of an interest rate hike in February, compounded by weaker-than-anticipated trade data that has tempered market sentiment. November figures revealed that Australia's goods trade surplus narrowed to AUD 2.94 billion, its lowest in three months and significantly below the expected AUD 4.9 billion. This contraction was primarily driven by a 2.9% decline in exports, particularly in the metal ores and minerals sector, while imports edged up by 0.2% to reach a historic peak. In the meantime, the market remains split regarding the Reserve Bank's potential rate move, with some economists warning that a sudden rate increase could unsettle Australia's still-delicate economic recovery. Such a decision might exert additional strain on the private sector, which has only just begun to show signs of recovery. Following November's mixed inflation results, focus now shifts to the quarterly CPI data expected later this month, which will provide greater clarity on future monetary policy directions.