AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR RECOVERS RECENT LOSSES AMID STRONGER CNY, WEAKER US DOLLAR

• Australian Dollar rises on stronger Chinese Yuan and higher ASX 200 on Monday.
• Australia's government has committed to backing a minimum wage increase aligned with inflation in 2024.
• CNY experienced a significant upward movement due to FX intervention, with Chinese major state banks observed selling USD/CNY.

The Australian Dollar (AUD) starts the week by recovering its recent losses registered in the previous session. The AUD/USD pair trades higher on Monday despite a slight decrease in the US Dollar (USD) amid higher US Treasury yields. Investors are expected to closely monitor the Australian monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for February and the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2023.

The Australian Dollar receives upward momentum as the ASX 200 Index extends its winning streak, led by gains in the mining and energy sectors. Additionally, the Aussie Dollar is bolstered by a stronger Chinese Yuan (CNY), with the People's Bank of China (PBoC) setting the mid-rate for the onshore yuan significantly higher than expected.

The US Dollar Index (DXY) undergoes a correction after hitting a five-week high at 104.49 in the previous session. The US Dollar (USD) might face downward pressure as ongoing United States (US) data shapes expectations for the start of the Federal Reserve (Fed) easing cycle, anticipated to commence in June. The Federal Reserve (Fed) has downplayed higher inflation readings, with Chairman Jerome Powell reassuring markets that the central bank will not hastily react to two consecutive months of increased inflation figures.