- Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) to Cut Official Cash Rate to Fresh Record-Low of 1.75%.
- Will Governor Graeme Wheeler Keep the Door Open for Lower Borrowing-Costs?
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Trading the News: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Interest Rate Decision
According to a Bloomberg News survey, all of the 17 economists polled forecast the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) cut the official cash rate to a fresh record-low of 1.75% as the central bank warns ‘current projections and assumptions indicate that further policy easing will be required to ensure that future inflation settles near the middle of the target range.’
What’s Expected:
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Why Is This Event Important:
A 25bp rate-cut paired with a dovish policy statement may curb the near-term advance in NZD/USD as it fuels speculation for additional monetary support, but the New Zealand dollar may face a mixed market reaction should the Governor Graeme Wheeler and Co. change its tune for monetary policy. As a result, the near-term resilience in the higher-yielding currency may gather pace throughout the remainder of the year should the RBNZ drop its dovish tone and show a greater willingness to conclude its easing-cycle ahead of 2017.
Expectations: Bearish Argument/Scenario
| Release | Expected | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Average Hourly Earnings (QoQ) (3Q) | 1.0% | 0.3% |
| Private Wages ex. Overtime (QoQ) (3Q) | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Trade Balance (NZD) (SEP) | -1.145B | -1.436B |
The weakening outlook for global growth accompanied by the ongoing weakness in household earnings may push the RBNZ to further insulate the real economy, and the New Zealand dollar may continue to give back the advance from the previous month should Governor Wheeler preserve a dovish outlook for monetary policy.
Risk: Bullish Argument/Scenario
| Release | Expected | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Change (YoY) (3Q) | 5.4% | 6.1% |
| Consumer Price Index (YoY) (3Q) | 0.1% | 0.4% |
| Gross Domestic Product (YoY) (2Q) | 3.6% | 3.6% |
However,signs of sticky price growth accompanied by the ongoing expansion in employment may encourage the RBNZ to adopt an improved outlook for the region, and the near-term resilience in the higher-yielding currency may gather pace over the remainder of the year should the central bank look to gradually move away from its easing-cycle.
How To Trade This Event Risk(Video)
Bearish NZD Trade: RBNZ Delivers 25bp Rate-Cut, Retains Dovish Outlook
- Need red, five-minute candle following the rate decision to consider a short NZD/USD position.
- If market reaction favors a bullish kiwi trade, sell NZD/USD with two separate position.
- Set stop at the near-by swing high/reasonable distance from cost; at least 1:1 risk-to-reward.
- Move stop to entry on remaining position once initial target is met, set reasonable limit.
Bullish NZD Trade: Governor Wheeler Endorses Wait-and-See Approach for 2017
- Need green, five-minute candle to favor a long NZD/USD trade.
- Implement same strategy as the bearish New Zealand dollar trade, just in the opposite direction.
Potential Price Targets For The Release
NZD/USD Daily
Chart - Created Using FXCM Marketscope 2.0
- Broader outlook for NZD/USD remains constructive as the pair breaks out of the downward trend carried over from back in September, but a failed run at the 2016-high (0.7485) may produce range-bound conditions over the remainder of the year especially as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) appears to be diverging with price; may see the RBNZ spark a ‘buy the rumor, sell the news’ type of reaction should Governor Wheeler and Co. highlight a shift in the monetary policy outlook.
- Interim Resistance: 0.7515 (50% retracement) to 0.7530 (78.6% retracement)
- Interim Support: 0.6950 (38.2% retracement) to 0.6970 (50% retracement)
Impact that the RBNZ rate decision has had on NZD/USD during the last meeting
| Period | Data Released | Estimate | Actual | Pips Change | Pips Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SEP 2016 | 09/21/2016 21:00 GMT | 2.00% | 2.00% | +5 | -28 |
September 2016 Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Interest Rate Decision
NZD/USD 5-Minute
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) held the official cash rate at the record-low of 2.00% in September, but continued to endorse a dovish outlook for monetary policy as the central bank warned the ‘current projections and assumptions indicate that further policy easing will be required to ensure that future inflation settles near the middle of the target range.’ In turn, Governor Graeme Wheeler and Co. may implement lower borrowing-costs at the last-2016 policy meeting on December 10, but the RBNZ may change its tune going into the year ahead as the central bank appears to be approaching the end of its easing-cycle. The New Zealand dollar struggled to hold its ground as the RBNZ kept the door open to further support the real economy, with NZD/USD pulling back from 0.7370 to end the day at 0.7310.
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--- Written by David Song, Currency Analyst
To contact David, e-mail dsong@dailyfx.com. Follow me on Twitter at @DavidJSong.
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