Asian session review: The Australian dollar traded mixed

The Australian dollar fell sharply, reaching a minimum of $ 0.7480 after the Reserve Bank of Australia lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 bps to 1.5%, but in the course of trading regained lost ground.

According to data published last week, in the second quarter, inflation fell to 1.5%, well below the central bank's target range of 2% -3%. RBA worry that low inflation can affect the mood of companies and households. According to the current forecast of the central bank, inflation returns to the target range until mid-2018.

In August 2013, the Australian central bank set the rate at 2.5% - this was the lowest level in the last 60 years. Nevertheless, due to the slowdown in economic growth the central bank decided to lower it again in February of last year to 2.25%, and three months later there was a new slide - to historically record low of 2%. In May of this year, the Central Bank, fearing the threat of deflation, lowered the rate to 1.75%, and today - another quarter percentage point.

The deficit of foreign trade of Australia rose sharply and amounted to AUD $ -3,2 billion from A $ -2.42 billion in May. Analysts had forecast a deficit of A $ -2,0 billion.

The trade balance - the indicator published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and assessing the ratio between exports and imports of goods. Export performance is an important indicator of the rate of growth of the Australian economy, while import indicates the level of domestic demand. Reduced demand for exports from Australia, leads to an increase in the trade deficit, which has a negative impact on the Australian dollar.

Export dropped in June 1.0% compared to a 1.0% increase in May.

Imports increased by 2.0% in June as in May.

Building permits, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, decreased by -2.9% in June, below analyst expectations of 0.5%. Previous value of the index was revised from -5.2% to -5.4%. The annual rate of building permits fell to -5.9%, -9.2% prior to the year after the fall.

Permits for the construction of private homes fell 2.3%. The construction of apartments in the private sector decreased by 2.4%

The New Zealand Dollar was down against the US dollar on the back of falling oil prices. Published today, the quarterly report of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand showed that inflation expectations have remained stable, but low in the third quarter. The expectations about the pace of growth in consumer prices in the 24 months ahead in the third quarter was 1.65% versus 1.64% in the second quarter. Inflation expectations for the next 12 months were equal to 1.26% against 1.22% in the previous quarter.

The US dollar traded in a narrow range against the euro after Friday showed widespread fall as weak data exacerbated concerns about economic growth and the increase in US Federal Reserve interest rates this year.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair was trading in the $ 1.1160-80 range

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair was trading in the $ 1.3179-85 range

USD / JPY: during the Asian session, the pair was trading in Y102.00 - 102.05 range