Fig 1: NZD & Local Rates Slump After Dovish RBNZ Cut
Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg/Refinitiv.
UK
PAY (RTRS): “Pay settlements by British private-sector employers held at 3% in the three months to July and uncertainty about the economy and possible further tax increases means that cautious approach is likely to continue, wage data firm Brightmine said.”
TECH (BBC): “The US director of national intelligence says the UK has withdrawn its controversial demand to access global Apple users' data if required.”
EU
UKRAINE (RTRS): “ U.S. and European military planners have begun exploring post-conflict security guarantees for Ukraine, U.S. officials and sources told Reuters on Tuesday, following President Donald Trump's pledge to help protect the country under any deal to end Russia's war.”
UKRAINE (RTRS): “ President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has ruled out putting U.S. troops on the ground in Ukraine, but said the United States might provide air support as part of a deal to end Russia's war in the country.”
TECH (BBC): “The US director of national intelligence says the UK has withdrawn its controversial demand to access global Apple users' data if required.”
ITALY (MNI POLICY): “Italy is in discussion with Brussels about how it could make use of the national escape clause from European Union fiscal rules to boost defence spending even though it remains in an excessive deficit procedure which is set to last another two years, MNI understands.”
RUSSIA (BBG): “Switzerland would grant Russian President Vladimir Putin immunity from arrest as part of a proposal to host peace talks on the war in Ukraine.”
US
FED (BBG): “President Trump reiterates his criticisms of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, saying that he is “hurting the Housing Industry.” Trump comments in a post on Truth Social. “Every sign is pointing to a major Rate Cut,” Trump adds.
US/CHINA (BBG): “Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the US is satisfied with the current tariff arrangement with China, a signal the Trump administration is looking to keep ties calm before a trade truce expires in November.”
OTHER
JAPAN (MNI BRIEF): Japan’s exports fell for the third straight year-on-year drop in July, down 2.6% after June’s 0.5% decline, as U.S. tariffs hit shipments of automobiles and iron, and steel products, Ministry of Finance data showed Wednesday.
NEW ZEALAND (MNI BRIEF): The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Monetary Policy Committee cut the Official Cash Rate 25 basis points to 3.0% on Wednesday and signalled further easing if inflation continues to fall.
INDIA/CHINA (RTRS): “India and China agreed on Tuesday to resume direct flights and step up trade and investment flows as the neighbours rebuild ties damaged by a 2020 border clash. The Asian giants are cautiously strengthening ties against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump's unpredictable foreign policy, staging a series of high-level bilateral visits.
CHINA
POLICY (MNI PBOC WATCH): The People’s Bank of China is keeping liquidity ample to support credit supply and reassure bond traders, even as a bull stock market draws funds away from bonds, while holding policy rates steady amid economic uncertainty.
HOUSING (SECURITIES DAILY): “China is expected to roll out a fresh batch of measures to stabilize the housing market, Securities Daily reports, citing industry analysts it interviewed.”
LOAN PRIME RATES (MNI BRIEF): China's Loan Prime Rate held steady on Wednesday, in line with expectations as the central bank highlights structural facilities to support key sectors.
FISCAL (YICAI): "Recent official provincial reports have flagged recurring issues in the use of special bonds, including overstated project scale and returns, idle funds and rising repayment risks, Yicai reported."
MNI: PBOC Net Injects CNY497.5 Bln via OMO Wednesday
MNI (BEIJING) - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) conducted CNY616 billion via 7-day reverse repos, with the rate unchanged at 1.40%. The operation led to a net injection of CNY497.5 billion after offsetting maturities of CNY118.5 billion today, according to Wind Information
The seven-day weighted average interbank repo rate for depository institutions (DR007) fell to 1.4000% at 09:27 am local time from the close of 1.5452% on Tuesday.
The CFETS-NEX money-market sentiment index, measuring interbank money-market liquidity, closed at 64 on Tuesday, compared with the close of 63 on Monday. A higher reading points to tighter liquidity condition, with 50 representing an equilibrium.
MNI (BEIJING) - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) set the dollar-yuan central parity rate higher at 7.1384 on Wednesday, compared with 7.1359 set on Tuesday. The fixing was estimated at 7.1905 by Bloomberg survey today.
MARKET DATA
JAPAN JUNE CORE MACHINE ORDERS +3.0% M/M; EST. -0.5%; MAY -0.6% JAPAN JUNE CORE MACHINE ORDERS +7.6% Y/Y; EST. +4.7%; MAY +4.4%
JAPAN JULY EXPORTS -2.6% Y/Y; EST. -2.1%; JUNE -0.5% JAPAN JULY IMPORTS -7.5% Y/Y; EST. -10.0%; JUNE +0.3% JAPAN JULY TRADE BALANCE -Y117.5B; EST. +Y198.5B; JUNE +Y152.1B JAPAN JULY ADJUSTED TRADE -Y302.97B; EST. Y-67.2B; JUNE -247.6B
SOUTH KOREA SHORT-TERM EXTERNAL DEBT Q2 $167.1B; Q1 $149.3B
The TYU5 range has been 111-21 to 111-26 during the Asia-Pacific session. It last changed hands at 111-23+, down 0-01 from the previous close.
The US 2-year yield has edged higher trading around 3.752%, up 0.01 from its close.
The US 10-year yield has edged higher trading around 4.308%.
Yields are still firmly within its wider 4.10%-4.65% range. The 4.35% pivot area in 10-Year yields found solid demand overnight helped by the S&P rating, the market will now be waiting for any clues from Powell's upcoming Jackson Hole speech.
“TRUMP: EVERY SIGN IS POINTING TO A MAJOR RATE CUT" - BBG
"Could somebody please inform Jerome “Too Late” Powell that he is hurting the Housing Industry, very badly? People can’t get a mortgage because of him. There is no Inflation, and every sign is pointing to a major Rate Cut. “Too Late” is a disaster!" - (Trump Truth Social Post)
(Bloomberg) - It’s not the first time that when monetary policy is tweaked in New Zealand, there’s a read across for G-10 peers, especially Treasuries. The RBNZ lowered interest rates as expected, but surprised traders by implying deeper cuts into next year. The resulting yield curve steepening is likely to be replicated by fixed income peers where central banks have an easing bias.
Data/Events: MBA Mortgage Applications, FOMC Meeting Minutes
JGB futures are little changed, -3 compared to settlement levels.
Japan Export Growth Negative, Lagging Other Parts Of Asia : Japan July export and import outcomes were fairly close to market expectations, but the trade balances were slightly weaker. Exports fell -2.6%y/y (-2.1% forecast and -0.5% prior), while imports were -7.5%y/y, (-10.0% forecast and 0.3% prior). The trade deficit was -117.5bn, against a 198.5bn forecast.
Japan Core Machine Orders Above Forecasts, Suggesting Resilient Capex : Japan June core machine orders were better than forecast. We rose 3.0%m/m, versus -0.5% forecast and -0.6% prior. The y/y print was 7.6%, against a 4.7% forecast and 4.4% prior. Today's machine orders print continues to paint a resilient capex picture for Japan's economy.
US tsys are little changed in today's Asia-Pac session.
Cash JGBs are slightly mixed across benchmarks, with yields 0.5bp lower (7-year) to 3bps higher (40-year). The benchmark 10-year yield is 0.4bp higher at 1.606% versus the cycle high of 1.616%.
Swap rates are flat to 1-2bps higher, with a steepening bias.
Tomorrow, the local calendar will see Weekly International Investment Flows, S&P Global PMIs (P) and Machine Tool Orders alongside an Auction for Enhanced-Liquidity 5-15.5 YR.
ACGBs (YM +4.5 & XM +3.5) are richer but off session bests.
The local market has benefited from positive spillover from a strong post-RBNZ rally in NZGBs.
The RBNZ cut the OCR by 25bps to 3.0%, as expected (4-2 vote; some favoured a 50bp cut), with forward guidance that saw the OCR averaging 2.71% in 4Q 2025, 2.56% in 2Q 2026, and 2.59% in 3Q 2026 (down from May's trough forecast of 2.9%). It indicated scope for further rate cuts if inflation pressures ease; forecasts imply a good chance of two more 25bp cuts.
Cash US tsys are little changed in today's Asia-Pac session after modest gains.
Cash ACGBs are 4bps richer with the AU-US 10-year yield differential at -2bps.
The bills strip has bull-flattened, with pricing flat to +4.
RBA-dated OIS pricing is softer across meetings today. A 25bp rate cut in September is given a 30probability, with a cumulative 37bps of easing priced by year-end (based on an effective cash rate of 3.59%).
Tomorrow, the local calendar will see S&P Global PMIs (P) and Consumer Inflation Expectation data.
The AOFM plans to sell A$300mn of the 4.75% 21 June 2054 bond on Friday.
NZGBs closed 10-16bps richer, with a steeper 2/10 curve, after today’s RBNZ policy decision.
The pace of NZ’s economic recovery appears to have disappointed the MPC, with Q2 GDP expected to contract again. The MPC decided to cut rates 25bp to 3% by a vote of 4-2, with two members voting for a 50bp reduction.
The MPC said that the OCR path was a “central expectation” “needed to ensure inflation” is sustainably at the band mid-point and it was revised lower which was said to likely provide “sufficient signalling effects”. The revised OCR path now troughs 30bp below the May assumption at 2.55% - the bottom of the RBNZ’s estimated neutral range.
The revised OCR path implies another 43bp of easing by year end with 16bp in Q1 2026.
Swap rates closed 11-18bps lower, with a steeper 2s10s curve.
RBNZ dated OIS pricing closed 14-23bps softer for meetings beyond August. 35bps of cumulative easing is priced by November 2025.
Tomorrow, Governor Hawkesby will appear before a parliamentary committee to talk about the latest Monetary Policy Statement.
On Thursday, the NZ Treasury plans to sell NZ$225mn of the 4.50% May-30 bond, NZ$175mn of the 4.50% May-35 bond and NZ$50mn of the 1.75% May-41 bond.
The BBDXY has had a range of 1206.79 - 1208.95 in the Asia-Pac session, it is currently trading around 1208, +0.10%. The USD continues to see profit-taking as the market pares back some risk as we head into Jackson Hole at the end of the week. Depending on the contents of Powell's speech this could change very quickly but the BBDXY looks to be putting in a third higher low which would be a worrying sign to the bears that we could be putting in a short-term base. A sustained break below 1197/1195 is needed to regain the momentum lower and retest the year's lows, but risk is more likely skewed to the USD shorts continuing to be reduced into Powell's speech.
EUR/USD - Asian range 1.1622 - 1.1651, Asia is currently trading 1.1635. The market is trading sideways in a 1.1600-1.1750 range heading into Jackson Hole. The pair is unlikely to extend too far as the market awaits Powell's speech.
GBP/USD - Asian range 1.3462 - 1.3493, Asia is currently dealing around 1.3475. Having broken back above its pivot look for dips to again be supported, with risk retracing the pair is probing its first support seen towards 1.3400.
USD/CNH - Asian range 7.1868-7.1931, the USD/CNY fix printed 7.1384, Asia is currently dealing around 7.1890. Sellers should be around on bounces while price holds below the 7.2200/2500 area and the PBOC manages the fix lower. Above 7.2500 and we could see a test of the USD Shorts.
The NZD/USD had a range of 0.5821-0.5900 in the Asia-Pac session, going into the London open trading around 0.5935, -0.95%. A dovish RBNZ that contemplated a cut of 50bps saw NZD/USD break lower and is now probing some pivotal support around the 0.5800/0.5850 area. Some of the crosses have broken some key levels AUD/NZD above 1.1000 & NZD/JPY below 86.50. Risk has extended its move lower this morning, E-minis -0.30%, NQU5 -0.45% adding to the weight in the NZD.
RBNZ: OCR Path “Signals” Further Easing. The pace of NZ’s economic recovery appears to have disappointed the MPC with Q2 GDP expected to contract again. The MPC decided to cut rates 25bp to 3% by a vote of 4-2 with two members voting for a 50bp reduction. The MPC said that the OCR path was a “central expectation” “needed to ensure inflation” is sustainably at the band mid-point and it was revised lower which was said to likely provide “sufficient signaling effects”. The revised OCR path now troughs 30bp below the May assumption at 2.55% - the bottom of the RBNZ’s estimated neutral range.
"RBNZ GOV HAWKESBY: NEXT TWO MEETINGS ARE LIVE, NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE, OCR PROJECTION TROUGHS AROUND 2.5%, CONSISTENT WITH FURTHER CUTS” - [RTRS]
"RBNZ GOV HAWKESBY: NEVER HAD A 4 TO 2 VOTE BEFORE, RANGE OF VIEWS AROUND THE RISKS TO OUTLOOK, MPC DEBATED RISKS AROUND MORE AGGRESSIVE CUT - [RTRS]"
Whole Milk Prices Edge Higher At Latest Auction : Overnight the whole milk powder auction (held around 2 times per month) saw average prices rise 0.3% to $4036. Whole milk powder prices are up from recent lows but still around 7.7% off 2025 highs (albeit presenting a supportive backdrop for NZ's terms of trade).
Options : Closest significant option expiries for NY cut, based on DTCC data: 0.5925(NZD400m), 0.5950(NZD320m). Upcoming Close Strikes : 0.5980(NZD660m Aug 21). - BBG
AUD/NZD range for the session has been 1.0939 - 1.1064, currently trading 1.1035. The dovish RBNZ has seen the Cross surge higher breaking back above 1.100 convincingly. This move should now see dips supported as it looks to build momentum to push higher.
The AUD/USD has had a range of 0.6429 - 0.6462 in the Asia- Pac session, it is currently trading around 0.6440, -0.25%. The AUD has been dragged lower by the move in the NZD and risk extending its correction lower in Asia. The AUD broke below its support just below 0.6500 overnight and looks likely to continue to trade heavy into the Jackson Hole meeting. Pivotal support is back towards 0.6300/50 which has been the bottom in its recent multi-month range of 0.6350-0.6650.
Bloomberg - “Asian stocks fell after a selloff in big tech dragged Wall Street lower. US futures slid. Citadel Securities’ Scott Rubner said retail investors may slow their stock buying in September before resuming later this year.”
"China Plans Broader Measures to Boost Housing Market: Paper. China is expected to roll out a fresh batch of measures to stabilize the housing market, Securities Daily reports, citing industry analysts it interviewed." - BBG
Bloomberg - “China’s commercial banks kept loan prime rates steady for a third month, as expected.”
Options : Closest significant option expiries for NY cut, based on DTCC data: 0.6600(AUD410m). Upcoming Close Strikes : 0.6510(AUD520m Aug 25), 0.6600(AUD1.34b Aug 21) - BBG
CFTC Data shows Asset managers added to their shorts -67449(Last -60729), the Leveraged community though reduced their own shorts -10121(Last -13997).
AUD/JPY - Asia-Pac range 94.87 - 95.37, Asia is trading around 94.95. The pair broke through 95.50 overnight and has put in another lower high. Although the price is still in the 94.00-97.50 range the multiple failures towards 97.00 looks like a rounded top and with risk looking vulnerable a test of the lower end of the range looks possible. A sustained break below the 94.00/94.50 area could potentially see momentum lower pick up. Not sure we see this until Jackson Hole event risk is out the way.
The Asia-Pac USD/JPY range has been 147.42-147.82, Asia is currently trading around 147.50, -0.10%. USD/JPY is being weighed down by selling in the crosses as risk points to a potential retracement. Price continues to hold above the support area between 146.00/147.00, a sustained move below this support is needed to turn the momentum potentially lower again. While this plays out it looks to be more range trading within the wider 146.00-151.00 range. CFTC Data shows leveraged funds have bought this dip in USD/JPY betting the support remains intact. A dovish RBNZ has given NZD/JPY the nudge it needed to break below 86.50.
Japan Export Growth Negative, Lagging Other Parts Of Asia : Japan July export and import outcomes were fairly close to market expectations, but the trade balances were slightly weaker. Exports fell -2.6%y/y (-2.1% forecast and -0.5% prior), while imports were -7.5%y/y, (-10.0% forecast and 0.3% prior). The trade deficit was -117.5bn, against a 198.5bn forecast.
Japan Core Machine Orders Above Forecasts, Suggesting Resilient Capex : Japan June core machine orders were better than forecast. We rose 3.0%m/m, versus -0.5% forecast and -0.6% prior. The y/y print was 7.6%, against a 4.7% forecast and 4.4% prior. Today's machine orders print continues to paint a resilient capex picture for Japan's economy.
Options : Close significant option expiries for NY cut, based on DTCC data: 148.00($999m), 149.00($733m).Upcoming Close Strikes : 146.80($1.24b Aug 21), 147.90($1.42b Aug 22) - BBG
NZD/JPY - Asia-Pac range 85.87 - 87.14, Asia is currently dealing 85.90. The pair has broken through its support around 86.50 on the back of a dovish RBNZ. This a powerful move lower and if sustained should now see bounces met with supply, especially if risk continues to retrace.
Some of the key Asian equity benchmarks are down sharply today, particularly those with a tech focus. This follows sharp US losses in this space during cash Tuesday trade. Tuesday saw some profit-taking after stalling around 6500 for the main US benchmark, as the market awaits Powell's Jackson Hole speech. Big Tech was hardest hit, having the largest concentration of positioning. We have also seen follow on US equity futures weakness, led by the tech side so far today. Nasdaq futures were last down a little over 0.50%, while Eminis were off close to 0.30%.
There are some outperformers within Asia Pac so far today, with New Zealand up over 1.6% after the dovish RBNZ 25bps rate cut. The NZX 50 was last around Jan highs.
Conversely, Taiwan's Taiex is down around 2.5%, while the Kospi is off close to 2%, as these markets feel the brunt of tech related sell-off. Offshore investors have turned net sellers of these markets in recent sessions as well.
The NKY225 is down by around 1.8% in Japan, while the Topix is down by 0.75%.
China's CSI 300 is down a modest 0.1%, while the HSI is down by nearly 0.6% at the lunch time break. The HSI tech sub index is off by 1.26% though.
In South East Asia, Indonesia is outperforming modestly, up +0.55%, while most other markets are down a touch.
Crude has stabilised during today’s APAC session after falling over a percent on Tuesday. US industry data showing a crude inventory build has provided some support with WTI up 0.4% to $62.04/bbl (Oct contract) off its intraday low of $61.83. Brent is 0.3% higher at $66.00 after falling to $65.81. The USD index is up 0.1%.
With OPEC steadily increasing its production targets and forecasts for a growing market surplus, supply trends are being monitored closely. CBA is forecasting Brent to fall to $63/bbl in Q4 2025 due to rising global inventories, according to Bloomberg.
While a Ukraine deal is a long way off, progress increases expectations that eventually sanctions on Russia will be eased. A setback could see the recent sell off reverse.
Bloomberg reported that there was a US crude inventory draw of 2.4mn barrels last week, more than offsetting last week’s 1.5mn build. Gasoline stocks fell 1mn barrels but distillate rose 500k, according to people familiar with the API data. The official EIA data is out today.
Later the Fed’s Waller and Bostic appear and the July FOMC meeting minutes are published. Friday’s Chair Powell speech is likely the key event remaining this week.
UK July CPI & PPI, euro area July CPI and German July PPI print. ECB President Lagarde appears on a panel.
Gold has been range trading today falling to $3311.6/oz before rising to $3319.59. It is currently 0.1% higher around $3318.8 holding onto Tuesday’s losses driven by steps taken towards a Ukraine truce. With markets hoping Fed Chair Powell will reveal his thinking for the September 17 decision on Friday, they are moving in narrow ranges. US yields are little changed and the USD index is 0.1% higher.
Silver is down 0.5% to $37.212 off the intraday low of $37.170. A clear break of the 50-day EMA at $37.077 is needed to strengthen the short-term bearish threat. Initial resistance is at $39.655.
Equities are also generally weaker with the Nikkei down 1.7%, Hang Seng -0.6% and S&P e-mini -0.3%. Oil prices are moderately higher with WTI +0.4% to $61.99/bbl. Copper is up slightly.
Later the Fed’s Waller and Bostic appear and the July FOMC meeting minutes are published. UK July CPI & PPI, euro area July CPI and German July PPI print. ECB President Lagarde appears on a panel.