NZD/USD loses momentum despite the Fed’s pressure narrative

The NZD/USD receded during the American session, recovering toward the 0.5880 area as the US Dollar (USD) lost some traction despite ongoing geopolitical risks and political pressure on the Federal Reserve.

While the Greenback initially held firm on safe-haven demand linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, momentum faded earlier in the Asian session. A pullback in US yields and a modest improvement in risk sentiment allowed currencies like the Kiwi to gain ground.

Markets also digested fresh comments on United States (US) monetary policy, as President Donald Trump reiterated his preference for lower interest rates, stating he would be “disappointed” if Kevin Warsh failed to cut rates “right away” if confirmed as the next Fed Chair.

Warsh acknowledged that most presidents tend to favor lower rates but stressed that the independence of the Federal Reserve ultimately rests with the institution. He also downplayed tariff-related inflation risks, suggesting price pressures have eased somewhat, and argued that a smaller balance sheet could support lower rates, improved inflation, and stronger economic growth.

Additionally, Warsh pushed back against forward guidance, criticizing the number of Fed officials signaling rate paths in advance, and called for broader structural changes, including new tools, updated communication strategies, and a revised inflation framework, noting current data used to assess inflation is “quite imperfect.”

Short-term technical analysis:

On the four-hour chart, NZD/USD trades at 0.5888. The pair is hovering just under the 20-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) at 0.5891, while holding well above the 100-period SMA at 0.5813, which leaves the near-term bias broadly neutral. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) around 50 reinforces the idea of consolidation, suggesting that directional conviction is currently lacking as price oscillates between nearby support and resistance levels.

On the topside, initial resistance is provided by the 20-period SMA at 0.5891, followed by horizontal barriers at 0.5904 and 0.5907, ahead of a higher cap near 0.5965. On the downside, immediate support is seen at 0.5887, with a further floor at 0.5874; a deeper slide would expose the 100-period SMA at 0.5813 as the next key demand area.

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