The Australian dollar rose more than 0.50 percent to 0.6980 against the US dollar on Monday, its second consecutive daily gain. Risk appetite improved, and the Aussie was supported by Chinese data released the same day.
China reported that its economy grew 4.5 percent year on year in the third quarter of 2026, above forecasts and up from 4.3 percent in the previous quarter. Retail sales rose 1 percent year on year in September, against a forecast of 0.5 percent and a previous reading of 0.4 percent.
Dollar firm on Fed bets
The US Dollar Index rose 0.19 percent to 101.97. Money markets do not expect a Federal Reserve hike at the October meeting, but they price December odds near 91 percent, according to Prime Terminal.
The US economic calendar was empty on the day. House National Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett, speaking on CNBC, said inflation “looks like it is needing some work.”
Technical levels in focus
A cluster of 50-, 100- and 200-day moving averages sits near 0.7079, and ascending trend-line support lies near 0.6916. The 14-day RSI stands at about 45.
Australian S&P Global flash PMIs are scheduled for 22 October.
Data: Swissquote
