Select Language

NZD/USD drops to near 0.5700 as traders expect RBNZ to deliver a bumper rate cut

Breaking news

NZD/USD drops to near 0.5700 as traders expect RBNZ to deliver a bumper rate cut

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS

  • X
  • facebook
  • LINE
  • RSS
New update 2025.02.18 17:02
NZD/USD drops to near 0.5700 as traders expect RBNZ to deliver a bumper rate cut

update 2025.02.18 17:02

  • NZD/USD faces challenges as the US Dollar strengthens amid rising Treasury yields.
  • Fed Governor Michelle Bowman warned that upside inflation risks persist, stressing the need for more clarity before considering rate cuts.
  • The RBNZ is expected to cut its Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points, bringing it down to 3.75%, at Wednesday's meeting.

NZD/USD retreats after three consecutive days of gains, trading around 0.5710 during European hours on Tuesday. The decline is driven by a stronger US Dollar as Treasury yields rise.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the USD against six major currencies, edges higher to 106.90 after three days of losses. Meanwhile, US Treasury yields stand at 4.27% for the 2-year note and 4.50% for the 10-year note.

On Monday, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman cautioned about persistent upside risks and emphasized the need for more certainty before considering rate cuts. Fed Governor Christopher Waller acknowledged inflation improvements but noted the slow progress, stressing the importance of data-driven decisions amid policy uncertainty.

However, the NZD/USD pair found some support following US President Donald Trump's decision to delay reciprocal tariffs. Additionally, a US retail sales report fueled speculation that the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates later this year despite ongoing inflation concerns.

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) remains under pressure as expectations grow for a significant rate cut by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) at its Wednesday meeting. The RBNZ is anticipated to slash the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points to 3.75%.

Traders will closely watch RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr's press conference after the rate decision for insights into the central bank's future policy stance. Any dovish signals could add to selling pressure on the Kiwi Dollar.

New Zealand Dollar FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

 


Date

Created

 : 2025.02.18

Update

Last updated

 : 2025.02.18

Related articles


Show more

FXStreet

Financial media

arrow
FXStreet

FXStreet is a forex information website, delivering market analysis and news articles 24/7.
It features a number of articles contributed by well-known analysts, in addition to the ones by its editorial team.
Founded in 2000 by Francesc Riverola, a Spanish economist, it has grown to become a world-renowned information website.

Was this article helpful?

We hope you find this article useful. Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  
We are also looking for writers with extensive experience in forex and crypto to join us.

please contact us at [email protected].

Thank you for your feedback.
Thank you for your feedback.

Most viewed

Silver Price Forecast: XAG/USD slips 1.20% as bullish  momentum fades below $33.00

Silver's price retreats on Friday and fails to capitalize on falling US yields.
New
update2025.02.22 06:56

AUD/JPY Price Analysis: Bears deepen losses as pair hits multi-week lows

The AUD/JPY cross continued its downward trajectory on Friday to around 94.80, posting sharp losses and breaking through key technical support levels.
New
update2025.02.22 06:51

Australian Dollar faces pressure after US PMI

The AUD/USD pair faces offers pressure near 0.6400 after the release of the United States (US) S&P Global PMI data for February.
New
update2025.02.22 05:57

Gold price holds near record highs, set for eight straight weekly gain

Gold price slides late on Friday, poised to end the week positively, accumulating eight straight weeks of gains that pushed the yellow metal to all-time highs of $2,954.
New
update2025.02.22 05:48

Dow Jones Industrial Average falls over 700 points on Friday

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) backslid over 700 points on Friday, knocking lower around one and a half percent and touching the 43,500 level for the first time in over a month.
New
update2025.02.22 04:01

US Dollar gains modestly despite PMI data disappointing

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the US Dollar's performance against six major currencies, is holding on to minor gains on Friday, trading around 106.50.
New
update2025.02.22 03:44

Mexican Peso weakens as GDP contracts in Q4, growth outlook dims

The Mexican Peso (MXN) lost some ground against the US Dollar (USD) on Friday as the Mexican economy decelerated in the last quarter of 2024.
New
update2025.02.22 03:07

EUR/USD Price Analysis: Bulls lose momentum as pair faces rejection at 100-day SMA

The EUR/USD pair faced a setback on Friday, declining by 0.44% to settle near 1.0450 after encountering firm resistance at the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) around 1.0540.
New
update2025.02.22 01:11

GBP/USD slips after hitting record high past 100-day SMA

The GBP/USD registers losses during the North American session after testing the 100-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 1.2658.
New
update2025.02.22 00:21

AUD/USD faces pressure around 0.6400 ahead of flash US PMI

The AUD/USD pair faces selling pressure around 0.6400 in North American trading hours on Friday.
New
update2025.02.21 23:19

Disclaimer:arw

All information and content provided on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to solicit any investment. Although all efforts are made in order to ensure that the information is correct, no guarantee is provided for the accuracy of any content on this website. Any decision made shall be the responsibility of the investor and Myforex does not take any responsibility whatsoever regarding the use of any information provided herein.

The content provided on this website belongs to Myforex and, where stated, the relevant licensors. All rights are reserved by Myforex and the relevant licensors, and no content of this website, whether in full or in part, shall be copied or displayed elsewhere without the explicit written permission of the relevant copyright holder. If you wish to use any part of the content provided on this website, please ensure that you contact Myforex.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LINE

Myforex uses cookies to improve the convenience and functionality of this website. This website may include cookies not only by us but also by third parties (advertisers, log analysts, etc.) for the purpose of tracking the activities of users. Cookie policy

I agree
share
Share
Cancel