• US Retail Sales, FOMC announcement and AU employment are the week’s headliners.
• US Retail Sales @ 0.6% m/m, FOMC @ 4.50% (same) and AU unemployment rate @ 4.1%.
• AUDUSD is expected to continue consolidating, pivoting between 0.6279 to 0.6354.
• AUD is likely to lift this week, following a minor uptrend from last week.
• The AU employment numbers are unlikely to have a major impact on the AUDUSD as well, unless there is a major shift in the actual vs forecast.
• Expecting a +ve change of 31.4K (prev 44.K), with the unemployment rate remaining same @ 4.1%.
• Conversely, the USD is likely to fall as well, given the pressures surrounding tariffs.
• FOMC rate is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged @ 4.50%. Markets will keep an eye on the FOMC Press conference for any future hints on the next rate cut which could influence the USD.
• US retail sales is expected to come in at 0.6% m/m, but unlikely to have any major impact as well.
• AUD will continue to range this week!
| Economic Calendar: Mon 17th March 2025 – Fri 21st March 2025 (High Impact) (AU/US) | |||||
| Day | Time (AEDT) | Event | Country | Forecast | Previous |
| Mon | 11:30pm | Core Retail Sales m/m | US | 0.3% | -0.4% |
| Retail Sales m/m | US | 0.6% | -0.9% | ||
| Thur | 5:00am | Federal Funds Rate / Statement | US | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| 5:30am | FOMC Press Conference | US | N/A | N/A | |
| 11:30am | Employment Change | AU | 31.4K | 44.0K | |
| Unemployment Rate | AU | 4.1% | 4.1% | ||
| 11:30pm | Unemployment Claims | US | 222K | 220K | |
Source: forexfactory.com