|

New Zealand Dollar slides ahead of Fed’s decision

  • NZD/USD has extended its decline toward the bottom of its recent range, pressured by a broadly stronger US Dollar.
  • Higher US yields and Wednesday's expected Fed rate hike are driving the move.
  • New Zealand Q2 GDP, due late Wednesday and seen slowing sharply, is the next risk factor for the kiwi.

NZD/USD trades close to the 0.5760s, extending a run of losses that has dragged it toward the lower end of its recent range. A broadly firmer US Dollar (USD) is behind the slide, with the greenback supported by climbing United States (US) yields and rate-hike expectations.

Markets are expecting the Federal Reserve (Fed) to raise rates on Wednesday, with investors leaning toward a 25 basis points (bps) hike to 3.75%-4.00%, and the risk-off tone has weighed on growth-sensitive currencies like the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). On another note, the 10-year US Treasury yield has climbed to its highest level since 2007, topping 5%, as a more than 3% jump in oil revived inflation worries.

New Zealand's Q2 Gross Domestic Product is due late on Wednesday, with growth expected to slow sharply to 0.1% on the quarter from 0.8%.

Chart Analysis NZD/USD

Short-term technical analysis:

On the 4-hour chart, NZD/USD trades at 0.5757. The pair remains under clear downside pressure as it trades below both the 20-period and 100-period Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), which now cap the upside around 0.5787 and 0.5877 respectively. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers near 30, hinting at stretched but persistent bearish momentum rather than a confirmed reversal.

On the topside, initial resistance is seen at the 20-period SMA near 0.5787, followed by the 100-period SMA at 0.5877. Above there, horizontal barriers emerge at 0.5907, 0.5930 and 0.5965, forming a dense supply zone that would need to be reclaimed to ease the broader bearish tone. No nearby structural supports are defined by the current indicator set, leaving the pair vulnerable to further declines unless buyers step in to establish a new floor below the market.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)

Author

Agustin Wazne

Agustin Wazne joined FXStreet as a Junior News Editor, focusing on Commodities and covering Majors.

More from Agustin Wazne
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD edges higher as hot CPI inflation and hawkish RBA lift rate hike bets

The AUD/USD pair gathers strength to near 0.7035 during the Asian trading hours on Friday. The Australian Dollar edges higher against the US Dollar as hotter Australian CPI inflation data has bolstered expectations of Reserve Bank of Australia rate hikes.

USD/JPY meets support near 157.00

USD/JPY retreats for the third consecutive day on Friday, revisiting the 157.00 region before attempting some recovery as investors continue to assess the latest BoJ meeting, where the central bank left rates unchanged, as widely anticipated.

Gold sinks to fresh yearly lows despite risk-off mood as Fed rate hike bets weigh

Gold slips to fresh year-to-date lows on Friday. The metal struggles despite a risk-off mood across markets, as expectations of further Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate hikes continue to dominate price action, leaving Gold on track to end the month in negative territory.


Ripple Price Forecast: XRP bulls defend $1.20 as sell-side pressure triggers liquidations
Ripple (XRP) trades around $1.25 on Friday, rising from a short-term support level established at $1.20. This minor upward correction follows a sharp sell-off, triggered amid reports of a hack attack on the Binance exchange that impacted approximately $6.3 billion. The attack drove the broader crypto market on edge, as Binance suspended both deposits and withdrawals to contain the situation.
BoJ recap: A pause for now... but Japan has entered a new inflation phase
The Bank of Japan left its short-term policy rate unchanged at 1.25% but delivered a distinctly hawkish message on the risk of an inflation overshoot. The decision passed by 8-1, with board member Takata dissenting in favour of an increase to 1.5%, while Governor Kazuo Ueda stressed that the Bank would continue adjusting policy as needed.
The 2% inflation target came from a throwaway remark. It now moves trillions
The Federal Reserve's 2% inflation goal grew out of an off-the-cuff remark by a New Zealand politician in 1988. Bond investors still price long-term US debt as if 2% holds, so a change in how the Fed measures inflation would move markets.