NZD: Asia Wrap - NZD/USD Stalls Towards 0.6000
The NZD/USD had a range of 0.5956 - 0.5975 in the Asia-Pac session, going into the London open trading around 0.5960, -0.18%. US stocks continue to push higher, the risk is the market is getting ahead of itself looking for a potential positive outcome from the FOMC, so the bar for disappointment is being lowered. The USD continues to look vulnerable, which continues to support the NZD. A close back above 0.6000 would negate any semblance of the downward pressure it was exhibiting, but for those that have a bearish view this remains a decent entry point to express that.
- August Price Rises Moderate: The August monthly CPI series generally showed a slowdown in increases with food inflation up 0.3% m/m after 0.7% stabilising the annual rate at 5%. The RBNZ forecast Q3 headline inflation at 3.0% y/y in August, the top of its band, with the risk it could temporarily be above. It remains focussed on the medium-term outlook though as it says it can do little to impact the near term. However, the stabilisation or moderation in August is likely to be welcomed
- Westpac Expects Inflation To Be Below 3% By End 2025. NZ food inflation stabilised at 5.0% y/y in August, its highest since November 2023, while increases for existing rents moderated 0.3pp to 2.1% y/y, the lowest since 2011. The stabilisation or moderation, especially travel-related prices, in August is likely to be welcomed by the RBNZ as it sees a risk that Q3 could print above 3%, the top of the band. Westpac believes that it will be below this level by year end.
- “NZ AUG. GOVT. BONDS HELD BY FOREIGNERS FALL TO 61.5%" - BBG
- Options : Closest significant option expiries for NY cut, based on DTCC data: none. Upcoming Close Strikes : 0.5825(NZD1.01b Sept 17), 0.5900(NZD860m Sept 17), 0.5935(NZD537m Sept 18) - BBG
- AUD/NZD range for the session has been 1.1158 - 1.1191, currently trading 1.1175. The Cross is consolidating above 1.1100, dips back towards 1.1000/1.1050 should be supported now. A break above the multiple highs towards the 1.1200 area is needed to regain the momentum higher.
Fig 1: NZD/USD Spot Daily Chart
Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg Finance L.P
Want to read more?
Find more articles and bullets on these widgets:
Historical bullets
AUSSIE 10-YEAR TECHS: (U5) Follows Fade in Treasuries
- RES 3: 96.501 - 76.4% of the Mar 14 - Nov 1 ‘23 bear leg
- RES 2: 96.207 - 61.8% of the Mar 14 - Nov 1 ‘23 bear leg
- RES 1: 95.960 - High Apr 7
- PRICE: 95.710 @ 15:17 BST Aug 15
- SUP 1: 95.415/95.300 - Low May 15 / Low Jan 14
- SUP 2: 95.275 - Low Nov 14 (cont) and a key support
- SUP 3: 94.707 - 1.0% 10-dma envelope
Aussie 10-yr futures received a boost from the US Treasury rally that followed both the recent poor NFP print as well as Tuesday’s inflation number. While this impact faded into the close of the week, 10-year futures remain toward the top end of the recent range. To the upside, next resistance is at 96.207, a Fibonacci retracement point. Next support undercuts at 95.420 (pierced), the Feb 13 low, ahead of 95.275, the Nov 14 low and a key support. Clearance of this level would strengthen a bearish condition.
FOREX: USD Index Pinned to 50-dma as Putin Shakes Hands with Trump
- USD slipped against all others Friday, with a poor set of retail sales and Uni of Michigan sentiment numbers meeting a higher-than-expected import price index to further stimulate concerns over a stagflarionary phase in the US economy. The USD Index trades either side of the 50-dma which, notably, has begun to flatten out after maintaining a solid downtrend throughout 2025.
- JPY is the strongest currency in G10, extending the breakout and bearish conclusion of the consolidation phase in USD/JPY. Recent weakness puts the price through support drawn off the early August lows as well as 146.71, a key retracement. Price action this week marks a full reversal of the previously overbought condition, keeping the downside argument in focus.
- Anticipation ahead of the Putin-Trump meeting has reached fever pitch. Footage showing the Presidents shaking hands in Alaska has helped ease concerns over a hostile meeting, but it's the outcomes that will matter to markets - particularly as equities hold at alltime highs. Any signs of progress toward a ceasefire would be warmly received by risk sentiment - although both Trump and Putin cautioned against a optimistic outcome in comments to press.
- We noted earlier in the week the pressure building on USD/HKD, with price action not matching the pattern of HKMA intervention. That move extended overnight, and is still building at typing, putting spot down to new pullback lows of 7.8119 shortly after the European open. Overnight swap rates have surged further still Friday (hitting 1.7% at typing), well ahead of the 0.3% prevailing rate mid-week and should continue to support a recovery in HIBOR fixes ahead. Today's 1m HIBOR fixed higher by 41bps, hitting 1.45% for the highest fix since mid-May. It's these factors that should work against the HKD carry trade (selling HKD, buying USD), evident in the further tightening of the HKD forward discount today: down 975 points from as high as 1270 this month.
- Focus in the coming week shifts to Jackson Hole and Powell's comments on Friday. With the September meeting still in flux - any conviction toward tipping the board toward a rate cut at the next FOMC will be carefully watched, but it's a hawkish outturn that could be more consequential for markets, as OIS prices a near 90% chance of easing on September 17th.
MNI: US TSY TICS NET FLOWS IN JUN +$77.8B
- MNI: US TSY TICS NET FLOWS IN JUN +$77.8B
- US TSY TICS NET L-T FLOWS IN JUN +$150.8B
