NZD: NZDUSD Slips Below 0.60 as Mixed Labour Market Data Weighs
Feb-04 16:49
In New Zealand, Q4 labour market data was mixed overnight. Despite the higher jobs growth figure, the unemployment rate edged up to 5.4%, above both the market consensus and RBNZ forecast of 5.3%, potentially dampening RBNZ hiking bets and taking the wind out of the Kiwi’s sails.
NZDUSD has recently extended Wednesday’s decline to 0.75%, slipping back below 0.6000 in the process. Support levels to note for the pair intersect at 0.5930 (20-day EMA) before more meaningful support at the prior break level around 0.5850.
Meanwhile, the moderate regional disparity has helped AUDNZD edge higher today and subsequently consolidate above 1.1650. Despite growing signs of a pullback in mid-January the cross’ resilience remains notable. A breach of the 1.1693 highs would place the cross at the highest level since 2013.
The RBNZ’s hawkish tone late last year pushed fixed mortgage rates higher despite a 25bp cut to the OCR, effectively tightening financial conditions and reducing the need for further near-term rate changes, a former assistant governor told MNI, noting that a stronger NZD will add to that restraint.