FX News

A light calendar week in the Australian Dollar (AUD), New Zealand Dollar (NZD) cross has seen the pair stretch out Monday continuing last week’s move higher through 0.9400 (1.0640), posting 0.9415 (1.0620) this morning. RBNZ rate cut predictions seem to be a hot talking point with analysts uncertain of upcoming timing, we have seen reports range from June to November. The RBA minutes highlighted Governor Bullock is undecided on whether the RBA will hike or cut at the next policy meeting. NZ Retail Sales Friday could print worse than expected putting pressure on the kiwi.

Current Level: 1.0632
Resistance: 1.0800
Support: 1.0580
Last Weeks Range: 1.0586- 1.0701

A light calendar week in the Australian Dollar (AUD), New Zealand Dollar (NZD) cross has seen the pair stretch out Monday continuing last week’s move higher through 0.9400 (1.0640), posting 0.9415 (1.0620) this morning. RBNZ rate cut predictions seem to be a hot talking point with analysts uncertain of upcoming timing, we have seen reports range from June to November. The RBA minutes highlighted Governor Bullock is undecided on whether the RBA will hike or cut at the next policy meeting. NZ Retail Sales Friday could print worse than expected putting pressure on the kiwi.

Current Level: 0.9398
Resistance: 0.9450
Support: 0.9260
Last Weeks Range: 0.9344- 0.9446

Bank holiday in the US made for a slow start to the week, the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) taking advantage of thin liquidity pushing up towards 0.6150 this morning. Stiff resistance is seen at 0.6160, if we see a push through this area the kiwi could test the 0.6200 level. Fed rate predictions have been tough to pick with expectations now the Fed will cut 3 times in 2024- this is down from 7 in January. This has all come about based on a less dovish Fed, stronger jobs data and a hotter inflation read last week. NZ Retail Sales releases Friday for the December quarter.

Current Level: 0.6134
Support: 0.6050
Resistance: 0.6170
Last week’s range: 0.6048- 0.6151

The British Pound (GBP) rallied to 2.0810 (0.4805) levels midweek against the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) after NZ inflation expectations came in at 2.5% weakening the NZD. UK inflation was unchanged at 4.0% after forecasting suggested this would come in higher at 4.1%. This is welcome news for the Bank of England. It’s well within their 2.0% forecast over the coming months. This should give way to cuts on the horizon. Energy prices have been a large contributor and will make the BoE much more comfortable to cut perhaps in June. The release sank the Pound reversing all the way back to 0.4870 (2.0530) this morning.

The current interbank midrate is: NZDGBP 0.4847 GBPNZD 2.0631

The interbank range this week has been: NZDGBP 0.4804- 0.4873 GBPNZD 2.0519- 2.0816

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) dipped to 0.6050 overnight against the US Dollar (USD) just above the yearly low set last week of 0.6037. NZ Inflation expectations kicked off the slump printing at 2.5% but remaining within the 1-3% inflation band almost cementing no further hikes, this was followed by a poor US inflation read. CPI y/y came in at 3.1% in December, down from November’s 3.4% but lower than forecast of 2.9%. Yes it’s a touch lower but not enough to fundamentally make a difference to overall inflation. The Fed will most likely indicate they won’t hike in June. Uncertainty with the next RBNZ decision seems evident with forecasters torn between policy settings and what may come. Certainly, as inflation continues to drop they move closer to the target range of 2.0%, that being said we predict the RBNZ will leave rates on hold until at least the third quarter. If we see the cross fall below 0.6050- 0.6000 it may go much lower.

The current interbank midrate is: NZDUSD 0.6111

The interbank range this week has been: NZDUSD 0.6048- 0.6151

The Australian Dollar (AUD) extended early week moves against the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) pushing up to 1.0685 (0.9360) in Friday sessions reversing much of last week’s losses. NZ inflation expectations helped buoy the AUD when figures released at 2.5% for early 2026- much lower than the 2.76% number from November 2023 which started a wave of selling in the NZD. Aussie employment data came in light at 0.5k instead of 26.4 forecast as the change in the number of new people employed in January 2024. The unemployment rate also ticked up to 4.1% from 3.9%, the first time it’s been over 4.0% since Jan 2022. The Australian economy needs to generate around 30,000 new jobs per month to stop the unemployment rate blowing out. Expectations are that the unemployment rate will go much higher this year as economic pressures continue. RBA rate cuts should come into play later this year.

The current interbank midrate is: NZDAUD 0.9361 AUDNZD 1.0671

The interbank range this week has been: NZDAUD 0.9352- 0.9446 AUDNZD 1.0586- 1.0692