New Zealand Dollar Traders Keep Tabs on RBNZ’s Fundamental Prompts

New Zealand Dollar Traders Keep Tabs on RBNZ’s Fundamental Prompts

Fundamental Forecast for New Zealand Dollar: Bearish

• RBNZ surprises bullish kiwi traders with dovish commentary to compliment hold on rates
• NZD/USD rally stalled by resistance, maintains range despite volatility

With the capital markets on a slow but steady advance, it would seem a point of certainty that the high-yield New Zealand dollar would appreciate. However, a taste for risk alone may not be enough to keep the kiwi buoyant. Certainly, if investor sentiment soared and demand for return far outstripped the risks that accompanied such an income, then the currency would most likely fall right back into its paces. However, if confidence merely flounders (or worse yet, if it actually broke down), then the New Zealand dollar will find itself especially exposed.

Where does this bearish tendency come from? If we consider the primary appeal of the kiwi dollar as a major; it is quickly apparent that a high yield is the only appealing feature that this currency possesses to command such liquidity. Therefore, when the capacity of producing return is diminished, it quickly drops off the charts. In this framework, we can understand why the RBNZ’s dovish commentary last week has had such a heavy influence over the outlook. Governor Bollard commented that global uncertainties presented a significant hurdle for the domestic economy, he wrote off immediate inflation pressures as a potential side effect of the quake that struck this month, and he explicitly stated that future rate hikes would come at a slower pace. With the Aussie dollar touting a positive benchmark differential of 1.50 percent, there is an immediate and attractive alternative to the kiwi.

Going forward, fundamental traders will monitor the same indicators and economic symptoms that Bollard will be watching to establish the timing for monetary policy. And, it just so happens that this week we will see a key economic indicator with immediately implications for deciphering the health and stability of New Zealand: the second quarter GDP reading. There is no official consensus to work with yet; so the door is still wide open to speculative interpretation. That being said, Australia’s strong 3.3 percent annual will be likely used as a benchmark – unfortunately for the kiwi. Furthermore, data that covers capital flows across the border, consumer confidence and credit health will all mark significant fundamental benchmarks if not encourage a meaningful price response. - JK