NZD/USD moves little around 0.6050 as traders seek clarity on Trump's plans for tariffs

NZD/USD faces challenges as concerns over weakening oil demand rise amid decreasing odds of Fed rate cuts.
The US NFP showed 147,000 new jobs added, while the Unemployment Rate declined to 4.1% in June.
The RBNZ is widely anticipated to hold its cash rate steady at 3.25% next week.

Akhtar Faruqui FXStreet

NZD/USD remains subdued for the third successive session, trading around 0.6070 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair depreciated as the US Dollar (USD) received support from stronger-than-expected US job growth and a surprise drop in the unemployment rate data, overshadowing investors' hopes for a Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate cut.

Traders also await clarity on US President Donald Trump's plans for tariffs on various countries. Trump said late Thursday that he “will begin sending letters on trade tariffs starting Friday.” He told reporters that he would send letters to 10 countries at a time, laying out tariff rates of 20% to 30%, per Reuters.

The US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report took the spotlight on Thursday, landing in a shortened trading week due to US Independence Day. However, markets seem more attuned to the broader trend, as political and fiscal uncertainties continue to weigh on investor sentiment.

NFP indicated that the US labor force grew by 147,000 jobs, surpassing the anticipated 110,000 in June. Additionally, the Unemployment Rate declined to 4.1% from 4.2%. Meanwhile, weekly Jobless Claims fell to 233,000, down from 237,000, reflecting a resilient US labor market.

US President Donald Trump's “one, big, beautiful” tax bill passed the House of Representatives and was sent to him for signing into law. The legislation includes significant tax cuts designed to stimulate economic growth. Trump hailed the bill's passage on Truth Social, calling it a “historic victory for American workers, families, and businesses.”

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is widely expected to hold its cash rate steady at 3.25% next week. However, investors continue to anticipate one or two additional 25 basis point cuts later this year, amid ongoing concerns about the economic impact of US tariffs.

New Zealand Dollar FAQs

What key factors drive the New Zealand Dollar?

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD), also known as the Kiwi, is a well-known traded currency among investors. Its value is broadly determined by the health of the New Zealand economy and the country’s central bank policy. Still, there are some unique particularities that also can make NZD move. The performance of the Chinese economy tends to move the Kiwi because China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner. Bad news for the Chinese economy likely means less New Zealand exports to the country, hitting the economy and thus its currency. Another factor moving NZD is dairy prices as the dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export. High dairy prices boost export income, contributing positively to the economy and thus to the NZD.

How do decisions of the RBNZ impact the New Zealand Dollar?

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) aims to achieve and maintain an inflation rate between 1% and 3% over the medium term, with a focus to keep it near the 2% mid-point. To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the RBNZ will increase interest rates to cool the economy, but the move will also make bond yields higher, increasing investors’ appeal to invest in the country and thus boosting NZD. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD. The so-called rate differential, or how rates in New Zealand are or are expected to be compared to the ones set by the US Federal Reserve, can also play a key role in moving the NZD/USD pair.

How does economic data influence the value of the New Zealand Dollar?

Macroeconomic data releases in New Zealand are key to assess the state of the economy and can impact the New Zealand Dollar’s (NZD) valuation. A strong economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for NZD. High economic growth attracts foreign investment and may encourage the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase interest rates, if this economic strength comes together with elevated inflation. Conversely, if economic data is weak, NZD is likely to depreciate.

How does broader risk sentiment impact the New Zealand Dollar?

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) tends to strengthen during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and are optimistic about growth. This tends to lead to a more favorable outlook for commodities and so-called ‘commodity currencies’ such as the Kiwi. Conversely, NZD tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.

Author

Akhtar Faruqui

FXStreet

Akhtar Faruqui is a Forex Analyst based in New Delhi, India. With a keen eye for market trends and a passion for dissecting complex financial dynamics, he is dedicated to delivering accurate and insightful Forex news and analysis.

GBP/USD hovers around daily lows near 1.3450

GBP/USD trades with decent losses on Thursday, revisiting the 1.3450 zone. Cable’s resumption of the selling interest comes after two daily advances in a row and follows the improved sentiment around the Greenback amid fresh concerns in the Middle East.

Euro weakens against US Dollar amid Middle East tensions

EUR/USD faces some renewed downside pressure and retests the low 1.1500s in the latter part of Thursday’s NA session. The move lower in spot comes after two daily advances in a row and follows the fresh bid bias in the US Dollar amid the re-emergence of some effervescence in the Middle East. Moving forward, US NFP data will take centre stage on Friday.

How Wall Street rigs the game [Video]

In this week’s Live from the Vault, Andrew Maguire is joined by Peter Antico and Sean Stone to discuss the Paradigm of Money - an in-depth expose of financial market corruption, from naked shorting to the two-tier system that protects Wall Street.

US Dollar: NFP and inflation mix complicate Fed path

BNY strategists John Velis and David Tam highlight the July Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report and upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases as key inputs for the Fed. They see consensus around 80,000 jobs, with a breakeven near 50,000 to keep unemployment steady. A weaker print could lower 2-year yields and rate-hike expectations.

Markets question Fed's inflation resolve after July FOMC meeting

Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh continues to project a tough stance on inflation, repeatedly promising to restore price stability and keep inflation anchored at the central bank's longstanding 2% target. But according to Mike Maharrey in this week's Money Metals Midweek Memo, markets are beginning to judge the Fed by its actions rather than its rhetoric—and so far, they aren't convinced.

9-3: Is the Federal Reserve’s vote tally Warsh's new forward guidance?

The rate did not move. Neither did the statement, and that’s the more interesting fact. Set the July 29 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement beside the one issued on June 17, and the two documents are identical apart from a single verb and a paragraph at the bottom naming three dissenters.