Summary (Headlines)
- HUGE week in markets for AU & US with rate calls & AU employment.
- RBA expected to increase to 4.10% (+0.25%), US Fed rate to remain same @ 3.75%.
- AUDUSD still in bearish consolidation, pivoting between 0.6895 & 0.7126.
• AUD BACK ABOVE 70c!
• We have a high impact week this week with the AU cash rate & US fed rate announcements.
• AU RBA expected to increase cash rate by 0.25% to 4.10% (back to the original high). Expect the AUD to be bullish upon the announcement.
• On the flip side, US Fed funds expected to keep the rate same @ 3.75%.
• We also have AU employment which is expected to change @ +20.3K (prev +17.8K) with the unemployment rate the same @ 4.1%. Expect a slight bullish signal from this news.
• With the war between Iran & US/Israel still ongoing, global commodity markets are still taking a hit with talks around the Strait of Hormuz closing causing more chaos.
Economic Calendar: Mon 16th March 2026 – Friday 20th March 2026 (High Impact) (AU/US) Day Time(AEST) Event Country Forecast Previous Tues 2:30pm Cash Rate / Statement AU 4.10% 3.85% RBA Press Conference AU N/A N/A Thurs 5:00am Federal Funds Rate US 3.75% 3.75% 5:30am FOMC Press Conference US N/A N/A 11:30am Employment Change AU 20.3K 17.8K Unemployment Rate AU 4.1% 4.1% 11:30pm Unemployment Claims US 215K 213K Source: forexfactory.com