AUD/USD has diverged from commodity prices - CIBC

Analysts at CIBC, point out that there is a new driver in AUD/USD, but the same direction. According to them, the pair has diverged from commodity prices and is now more influenced by interest rate spreads.

Key Quotes: 

“In recent years the primary driver of the Aussie dollar has changed from commodity prices to interest rate spreads, but the general direction the currency was travelling remained the same – down. That could be due to the fact that it has been supply, rather than demand, issues that have been largely propping up prices for its key commodities. However, going forwards the Aussie could do a U-turn and see an appreciation.”

“Interest rates are already very low, suggesting little further room for spreads to move more in favour of the US. Meanwhile an improvement in global sentiment could be positive for commodity prices for the right reason: higher demand rather than limited supply.”