NZD: Global economic disruption by the virus expected to last at least until 2021

RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr said the global economic disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic is expected to last and lead to lower economic growth, employment opportunities, and inflation at least until 2021.

The RBNZ and financial institution system are well-positioned to deal with economic storms and support the inevitable pace of recovery, Governor Orr believes, because that the banking system was required to hold more capital, liquidity, and lower risk mortgage loans during the ‘good times’ of recent years. Banks will play an important role and become part of economic recovery, said Orr.

NZDUSD traded with a narrow range towards the end of the month, since a few days ago. The range of transaction ranges is only about +/- 50 pips. Prices tend to consolidate and contract in a triangle. The price level of 0.6380 is the key support for the pair’s decline, while the upward movement will try to test the closest high price at 0.6583 with advanced testing of the peak price of December 2019 at 0.6754. If 0.6380 fails to provide support to the pair, then the next Support level could be seen at 0.6250 (50.0%) and 0.6175 (61.8%) from the upleg in May.

Meanwhile, if 0.6754 is successfully overcome in a continued rally, this will imply the longterm downtrend has been completed. The indicator is still positive, as momentum starting to fade.

NZDCAD has been maintaining gains over a narrow range, with the bias tending to be neutral in the nearterm. There are no clear signs of reversal yet. Technical indicators still support the strengthening of the NZD against CAD. It cannot be denied that the momentum has declined, with tough consolidation,but do not rule out the possibility of a continued rally, after breaking out 0.8735 and testing temporarily at 0.8798. On the upside it will test the average monthly high level at the crucial level of 0.8900, which would maintain the bearish trend. If this level is broken however, the implications of the big trend will turn to bullish.

On the downside, Support at 0.8683 will act as a longterm barrier. If it breaks then the correction to the 4-month rally (from 0.8012 to 0.8800 area) could be seen with a pullback and a retest of Support levels at 0.8600; 0.8525 or even 0.8350.

EUR/USD hits two-day highs near 1.1820

EUR/USD picks up pace and reaches two-day tops around 1.1820 at the end of the week. The pair’s move higher comes on the back of renewed weakness in the US Dollar amid growing talk that the Fed could deliver an interest rate cut as early as March. On the docket, the flash US Consumer Sentiment improves to 57.3 in February.

GBP/USD reclaims 1.3600 and above

GBP/USD reverses two straight days of losses, surpassing the key 1.3600 yardstick on Friday. Cable’s rebound comes as the Greenback slips away from two-week highs in response to some profit-taking mood and speculation of Fed rate cuts. In addition, hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill are also collaborating with the quid’s improvement.

Gold climbs further, focus is back to 45,000

Gold regains upside traction and surpasses the $4,900 mark per troy ounce at the end of the week, shifting its attention to the critical $5,000 region. The move reflects a shift in risk sentiment, driving flows back towards traditional safe haven assets and supporting the yellow metal.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP rebound amid risk-off, $2.6 billion liquidation wave

Bitcoin edges up above $65,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as dust from the recent macro-triggered sell-off settles. The leading altcoin, Ethereum, hovers above $1,900, but resistance at $2,000 caps the upside. Meanwhile, Ripple has recorded the largest intraday jump among the three assets, up over 10% to $1.35.

Three scenarios for Japanese Yen ahead of snap election

The latest polls point to a dominant win for the ruling bloc at the upcoming Japanese snap election. The larger Sanae Takaichi’s mandate, the more investors fear faster implementation of tax cuts and spending plans.

XRP rally extends as modest ETF inflows support recovery

Ripple is accelerating its recovery, trading above $1.36 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors adjust their positions following a turbulent week in the broader crypto market. The remittance token is up over 21% from its intraday low of $1.12.