Westpac IQ

Monday re-issue edition: analysis and forecasts for this week's key releases.

Friday edition: analysis and forecasts for this week's key releases.

The USD sell-off has caused the AUD to appreciate beyond what the recent shift in the rates outlook would imply.

The countdown is on for regulatory clarity on stablecoins, and it's time for banks, regulators and policymakers to prepare for what could be a fundamental reshaping of Australia's financial system. Here's what you need to know.

As 2025 has come to a close, our Q4 Sustainable Finance market update reviews the year's performance, looks at what’s ahead for 2026 and highlights developments in nature and finance. You’ll also find news on the latest market deals and details about an upcoming event you won't want to miss.

The latest edition of Sustainability Impact looks at ASIC’s support for smaller companies ahead of their mandatory sustainability reporting requirements, changes in the new Global Risks Report, the aim of Australia’s new National AI Plan, and more.

The Australian dollar touched another fresh high last week at 0.7147, but it was ultimately something of a challenging and choppy week of price action which saw some late week fatigue set in, sending AUD/USD back below 0.71. The week ahead looks to be no different and some important local event risk looms - the minutes from the RBA's Feb meeting, Jan jobs and Q4 wages price index. The overseas calendars are a little less punchy this week, but include the always market moving first release for US GDP (Q4), US PCE deflators and Jan global PMIs.

An RBA hike and dramatic volatility in a range of crowded consensus trades produced another week of outsized volatility for the Australian dollar. The currency traded as high as 0.7050 and as low as 0.6897, but ultimately, held all the right technical support levels. The Australian dollar clawed its way back above 0.7000 late in the week and looks forward to another busy calendar headlined by delayed Jan US payrolls, CPI and retail sales. Consumer and business surveys alongside RBA speak headline the local calendar.

A dizzying move in precious metals helped propel the Australian dollar more than US2 cents higher at one stage last week, to 0.7094, before an equally spectacular breakdown on Friday saw a good amount of these gains wiped out. The Australian dollar starts the week at 0.6950 ahead of a crucial RBA meeting and US non-farm payrolls on Friday.