NZD: Asia Wrap - NZD Back Above 0.6000

Jun-24 04:30

The NZD/USD had a range of 0.5963 - 0.6014 in the Asia-Pac session, going into the London open trading around 0.6005. The NZD has remained well supported all through the Asian session, +0.50%. With the USD back under pressure the NZD very quickly finds itself back on a 0.6000 handle, looking to build momentum for a test of the 0.6100 area.

  • "NZ TREASURY: MAINTAINING ECONOMY MOMENTUM MAY BE CHALLENGING" - BBG
  • “Among Group-of-10 commodity currencies, the Kiwi “is the only energy importer and most vulnerable if Middle East oil supply is impacted more severely,” wrote Bank of America.”
  • A huge bounce from sub 0.5900 and we are again breaking back above the 0.6000 area this morning.
  • Technically while the support around 0.5850 holds in NZD/USD it is still in an uptrend, this held perfectly overnight and should risk build on from this then focus will turn once gain back to 0.6050/0.6100.
  • Options : Closest significant option expiries for NY cut, based on DTCC data: none. Upcoming Close Strikes : 0.5690(NZD621m June 25)
  • CFTC Data showed Asset managers paring back their shorts slightly once more over the week, the leverage community did likewise.
  • AUD/NZD range for the session has been 1.0798 - 1.0817, currently trading 1.0805. The cross is struggling to get any momentum back above 1.0800 for now, it needs to hold above here and start extending higher to put a higher low in place. The longer it fails to extend the higher the chances it begins to drift lower again, a break sub 1.0750 will see downward momentum return.

Fig 1: NZD/USD Spot Daily Chart

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Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg Finance L.P

Historical bullets

JGB TECHS: (M5) Rallies off Lows

May-23 22:45
  • RES 3: 147.74 - High Jan 15 and bull trigger (cont)
  • RES 2: 146.53 - High Aug 6 
  • RES 1: 141.48/142.95 - High May 2 / High Apr 7
  • PRICE: 139.40 @ 15:42 GMT May 23
  • SUP 1: 138.54 - Low May 22
  • SUP 2: 136.57 - 1.382 proj of the Jan 28 - Feb 20 - Feb 26 bear leg   
  • SUP 3: 134.89 - 2.000 proj of the Jan 28 - Feb 20 - Feb 26 bear leg

JGBs have rallied off recent lows and for now, however a bearish theme remains intact following the reversal that started Apr 7. A continuation lower would signal scope for an extension towards 136.57, a Fibonacci projection. On the upside, a reversal higher would instead refocus attention on 142.95, the Apr 7 high. The first important resistance to watch is 141.48, the May 2 high. A break of this level would be viewed as an early bullish signal. 

US FISCAL: Total Tariff Income Jumping In May As New Rates Hit

May-23 20:54

Treasury reported a record $16.5B in customs/excise taxes on May 22, reflecting the large increase in tariff rates that went into effect in April.

  • Today's report is important because it represents the largest tariff collections of the month which are typically on a due date around the 22nd, when most corporate importers make their payments.
  • Thursday's one-day collection is a record, and the month has already set a new record. Tariff revenues have totaled $22.3B so far in May, and are came in at $17.4B in April (after averaging $8.1B/month in 2024).
  • For the fiscal year as a whole so far, customs duties have totaled just under $93B, per the Treasury Daily Statement.
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US FISCAL: Extraordinary Measures Continue To Dissipate Alongside Treasury Cash

May-23 20:35

Treasury's latest estimate of the size of "extraordinary measures" available to use "in order to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations as Congress deliberate[s] on increasing the debt limit" is down to $67B on May 21 (of an available $299B), vs $82B a week earlier. 

  • The amount hit the 2nd lowest level since the debt limit impasse started, at $46B, on May 20 (the low was $34B on Feb 24).
  • With $476B in cash in the Treasury General Account on May 21, that left the total resources available to Treasury at $543B, the least since April 14 - the day before the annual April 15 tax deadline.
  • Treasury Sec Bessent warned Congress earlier this month that "there is a reasonable probability that the federal government's cash and extraordinary measures will be exhausted in August while Congress is scheduled to be in recess. Therefore, I respectfully urge Congress to increase or suspend the debt limit by mid-July".
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