NZD/USD weakens to near 0.5900 on dovish RBNZ bets, geopolitical risks

• NZD/USD edges lower to around 0.5910 in Wednesday’s Asian session. 
• The RBNZ is anticipated to cut its OCR by 50 bps next week.
• Geopolitical risks could boost the USD and create a headwind for NZD/USD. 

The NZD/USD pair trades in negative territory near 0.5910 during the Asian session on Wednesday. The rising expectations of interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) next week and geopolitical risks weigh on the riskier asset like the Kiwi.  

ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner expects the RBNZ to cut its Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points (bps) next week, bringing the rate to 4.25%. “If there is going to be a surprise, a larger cut seems likelier than a smaller one,” added Zollner. Markets are fully pricing in a 50 bps reduction, with 12% odds of a larger 75 bps rate cut. The rising bets of the RBNZ are likely to weigh on the Kiwi in the near term. 

Elsewhere, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) announced to leave its Loan Prime Rates (LPRs) unchanged on Wednesday. The one-year and five-year LPRs were at 3.10% and 3.60%, respectively. 

On the other hand, analysts expect incoming US President Donald Trump's policies could reignite inflation and might slow the path of interest rate cuts. This, in turn, could lift the USD against the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Markets have pared bets for a 25 basis points (bps) interest-rate cut at the December meeting to less than 59%, down from 76.8% a month ago, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

Additionally, Ukraine used US ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time, Moscow said. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a possible nuclear strike, per Reuters. The rising geopolitical risks between Russia and Ukraine could boost the safe-haven demand, supporting the Greenback. 

New Zealand Dollar FAQs

What key factors drive the New Zealand Dollar?

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD), also known as the Kiwi, is a well-known traded currency among investors. Its value is broadly determined by the health of the New Zealand economy and the country’s central bank policy. Still, there are some unique particularities that also can make NZD move. The performance of the Chinese economy tends to move the Kiwi because China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner. Bad news for the Chinese economy likely means less New Zealand exports to the country, hitting the economy and thus its currency. Another factor moving NZD is dairy prices as the dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export. High dairy prices boost export income, contributing positively to the economy and thus to the NZD.

How do decisions of the RBNZ impact the New Zealand Dollar?

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) aims to achieve and maintain an inflation rate between 1% and 3% over the medium term, with a focus to keep it near the 2% mid-point. To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the RBNZ will increase interest rates to cool the economy, but the move will also make bond yields higher, increasing investors’ appeal to invest in the country and thus boosting NZD. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD. The so-called rate differential, or how rates in New Zealand are or are expected to be compared to the ones set by the US Federal Reserve, can also play a key role in moving the NZD/USD pair.

How does economic data influence the value of the New Zealand Dollar?

Macroeconomic data releases in New Zealand are key to assess the state of the economy and can impact the New Zealand Dollar’s (NZD) valuation. A strong economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for NZD. High economic growth attracts foreign investment and may encourage the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase interest rates, if this economic strength comes together with elevated inflation. Conversely, if economic data is weak, NZD is likely to depreciate.

How does broader risk sentiment impact the New Zealand Dollar?

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) tends to strengthen during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and are optimistic about growth. This tends to lead to a more favorable outlook for commodities and so-called ‘commodity currencies’ such as the Kiwi. Conversely, NZD tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.

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