|

NZD/USD Review: Flirts with weekly lows, just above mid-0.6700s ahead of US GDP

   •  Extends overnight sharp retracement from over 2-week tops. 
   •  A modest USD buying keeps exerting some downward pressure. 
   •  All eyes remain glued to today’s advance US Q2 GDP growth numbers.

The NZD/USD pair extended overnight retracement slide from over two-week tops and dropped to fresh weekly low on Friday. 

Despite Thursday's disappointing US macro data, the USD staged a solid rebound on the back of a goodish pickup in the US Treasury bond yields and prompted some aggressive selling around the major. 

The pair kept losing ground for the second consecutive session on Friday and was being weighed down by a follow-through US Dollar buying interest, despite subdued action in the money markets. 

Meanwhile, a negative tone around commodity space further dented sentiment surrounding commodity-linked currencies - like the Kiwi and exerted some additional downward pressure through the mid-European session. 

Moving ahead, today's key focus would be on the advance US GDP report, which is anticipated to show a strong economic growth during the second quarter of 2018. Strong growth figures would further cement Fed rate hike prospects and increases prospects for further near-term up-move for the buck. 

Technical Analysis

Today's downfall looks driven by technical selling, especially after yesterday's sharp slide back below 20-day SMA support. The pair now seems to have formed a bearish double-top pattern on the short-term chart, albeit the set-up will be complete only once the pair breaks below an ascending trend-line support near the 0.6730-25 region. 

Below the mentioned support, the pair is likely to aim back towards retesting monthly/YTD lows, around the 0.6690 region, touched on July 2, before starting a fresh leg of near-term downward trajectory.
 

Author

Haresh Menghani

Haresh Menghani is a detail-oriented professional with 10+ years of extensive experience in analysing the global financial markets.

More from Haresh Menghani
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD sits at three-week highs above 0.7000 on hawkish RBA-speak

AUD/USD holds a positive bias for the fourth straight day, trading above 0.7000 in the Asian session on Wednesday and at three-week highs. RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser's hawkish remarks and inflation concerns underpin the pair. However, the upside appears capped as the US Dollar attracts some buyers amid looming US-Iran uncertainty.

USD/JPY remains confined in a familiar range below 158.50

USD/JPY sees some dip-buying in the Asian session on Wednesday, though it remains confined within a multi-week range near 158.50 as the uncertainty over the timing of the next BoJ rate hike keeps Japanese Yen bulls on the defensive. Meanwhile, hawkish Fed expectations, bolstered by inflation risks stemming from volatile oil prices, underpin the US Dollar. However, looming intervention fears could limit JPY losses and cap the currency pair.

Gold extends losing spree as US bond yields hold ground

Gold extends its losing streak for the fourth trading day on Wednesday, trading 0.2% lower to near $4,115 in the Asian session. The precious metal is under pressure as United States Treasury Yields on the back of significant gains in oil prices in past few weeks.

Bitcoin gains strength as Ethereum and XRP selling eases

Top three cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple, are holding steady on Wednesday after a bullish close the previous day. The mild recovery hints at an extended rally as the prevailing bearish pressure eases. Bitcoin trades at $82,930 on Wednesday, holding a bullish near-term bias following a mild rebound the previous day.

UK CPI set to accelerate, paving the way for a BoE interest rate hike in November

The United Kingdom Office for National Statistics is expected to release September’s Consumer Price Index on Wednesday at 06:00 GMT. These figures will be accompanied by the Producer Price Index and the Retail Sales report.

The US Dollar fell. Gold didn't rally. That tells you everything
Gold (XAU/USD) is struggling to capitalize on a weaker US Dollar (USD), after repeatedly failing to establish itself above the $4,200 level. The precious metal remains confined to a relatively narrow trading range despite a combination of developments that would normally support higher prices.