Three of the biggest US banks made billions more than they and analysts had projected in the March quarter.
“Leading up to the June meeting, we think further slowing in employment and core inflation, alongside the judgment that cumulative effects of past policy actions and tighter credit means policy is sufficiently in restrictive territory, and will keep the Fed comfortable with holding rates steady.“Our preliminary forecast for May job gains at 136,000 and core CPI at 0.25 month, we think extends the evidence of slowing momentum, and policymakers will be able to extrapolate from recent trends.
In a note, investment firm BCA Research sees few near-term catalysts for the currency though it’s longer-term outlook is positive. That said, BCA said “it will take much lower realised inflation – and a few softer job reports – before the RBA will be pressured to start easing policy”.