Why does the USD matter so much – and how does the AUD shape up?

With CY26 well underway, here at HotCopper, we’ve decided to take a look at what goes on in the world of finance beyond the ASX we all love. Today, publication collaborator Jonathan Davidson (you would know him from the HotCopper Wire podcast) has taken a look at Currency Markets in our Wiser Wealth series.

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You’ve heard about the Australian dollar firming against the USD in recent history. In fact, back in February, the Australian dollar was the world’s best-performing currency among its peers. That’s because we’re seen as a relatively stable economy with strong exports underpinning it, and proximity to China.

But then we’ve had the U.S.’s war with Iran, and more recently, a very hawkish Federal Reserve. That’s helped push the gold price to nearly $4,000/ounce in the greenback, and the USD is – for now, at least – back on top.

So what’s going on, and how does currency trading work?

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