Forex
AUD/USD
Australian dollar versus US dollar — often treated as a proxy for commodities, China and global risk appetite.
AUD/USD chart
- Spot FX
- Intraday · may be delayed
- FX:AUDUSD
Spot AUD/USD quoted by FXCM. Spot FX has no single official price, so quotes differ slightly between providers; broker tick volume is not shown.
About the AUD/USD
AUD/USD is the number of US dollars per Australian dollar. Australia is a major exporter of iron ore, coal, LNG and other commodities, much of it to China.
As a result, the Aussie is often treated as a liquid proxy for global growth and risk appetite, and it tends to be sensitive to Chinese economic news.
Activity picks up during the Sydney and Tokyo sessions when Australian and Chinese data are released, and again in London and New York hours.
What moves AUD/USD
Common drivers. None of them determine price on their own.
- RBA vs. Fed
- Relative rate expectations remain a core driver.
- China and commodities
- Chinese activity data and prices of iron ore and other exports affect Australia's terms of trade.
- Risk appetite
- AUD has often weakened when global equities sell off and strengthened in risk-on periods.
AUD/USD trading hours
Regular schedules in US Eastern time unless noted. Holidays and early closes are not shown.
| Venue | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spot FX | Sun 5:00 p.m. – Fri 5:00 p.m. ET (24 hours on weekdays) | — |
| Sydney/Tokyo sessions | Approx. 5:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. ET | Shifts with daylight saving in both hemispheres |
Economic events that matter for AUD/USD
Why each release can move this market. Reactions depend on the surprise versus expectations and on the backdrop.
| Event | Why it can matter for AUD/USD |
|---|---|
| FOMC Next: | The Fed sets the US side of the pair's rate gap, and as a risk-sensitive currency the Australian dollar can also react to how a decision changes global risk appetite. |
| NFP Next: | AUD/USD reacts to the dollar move after payrolls, and the Australian dollar's sensitivity to risk sentiment can amplify that reaction when a report changes the global growth outlook. |
| ISM Mfg Next: | As a commodity-linked currency, the Australian dollar can respond to manufacturing signals that affect demand for industrial commodities such as iron ore, one of Australia's largest exports. |
Also scheduled: Reserve Bank of Australia decisions and Chinese activity data often matter more for AUD/USD. They are not covered on this site.
AUD/USD FAQ
Why is AUD/USD called a risk currency?
Australia's economy is tied to commodity exports and Chinese demand, and the currency is highly liquid. That combination has made AUD/USD a common way to express views on global growth, so it has tended to rise and fall with risk appetite.
What time does the RBA announce rate decisions?
The Reserve Bank of Australia typically announces decisions at 2:30 p.m. Sydney time, which falls in the late evening or overnight in US Eastern time.