NZD/USD slips as US Dollar strengthens and geopolitical tensions weigh

Safe-haven demand and elevated US yields keep NZD/USD pressured below 0.5800.
Iran’s reluctance to engage with the US sustains a risk-off mood, hurting the Kiwi.
The pair is struggling to reclaim 0.5800 and is exposing further downside.

Agustin Wazne FXStreet

The NZD/USD pair slipped to the 0.5760 region, remaining under pressure as the US Dollar (USD) stays firm amid elevated United States (US) yields and a cautious market mood.

The Greenback continues to draw support from safe-haven demand, particularly after Iran signaled reluctance to engage with the US, keeping investors on edge and favoring the USD.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) struggles as a risk-sensitive currency amid deteriorating global sentiment, persistent geopolitical tensions, and growth concerns. The defensive tone in markets, alongside elevated energy prices, continues to weigh on higher-beta currencies.

Short-term technical analysis:

In the 4-hour chart, NZD/USD trades at 0.5760. The near-term bias is mildly bearish as price holds below both the 20-period and 100-period Simple Moving Averages (SMAs), which slope lower and cap the upside near 0.5810–0.5860. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers in the mid-30s, showing persistent but not extreme bearish momentum and aligning with a gradual grind lower rather than an impulsive selloff.

Immediate resistance is located at 0.5777, with a stronger barrier at 0.5781, where recent price action stalls beneath nearby moving-average pressure. A break above these hurdles would expose 0.5907 as the next notable resistance. On the downside, initial support is seen at 0.5747, and a decisive drop below this level would open the way toward lower levels within the broader downtrend.

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

Author

Agustin Wazne

FXStreet

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

AUD/USD sticks to positive bias above 0.7100; lacks bullish conviction

AUD/USD trades with a positive bias for the second straight day, holding above 0.7100 in the Asian session on Friday as softer US bond yields keep US Dollar bulls on the back foot. Furthermore, hawkish RBA Governor Bullock's comments boost rate hike bets and support the Aussie. However, the Fed's hawkish outlook, along with geopolitical uncertainties, limits USD losses and caps the pair.

USD/JPY jumps above 157.00 after BoJ's expected rate hike to 1.25%

USD/JPY picks up fresh bids and jumps above 157.00 in the Asian session on Friday after the Japanese Yen remains under intense selling pressure despite the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) interest rate hike to 1.25% and a somewhat hawkish Monetary Policy Statement, as two dissents against the rate hike weigh. All eyes now remain on BoJ Governor Ueda's press conference for further trading impetus.

Gold: Acceptance above $4,400 is critical for buyers

Gold holds the previous recovery around $4,350 early Friday; buyers still cautious. US Dollar trades subdued amid retreating Oil prices and US Treasury bond yields. Gold settled Thursday above the 100-day SMA near $4,320, with a neutral daily RSI.

Bitcoin extends recovery, Ethereum eyes $2,500, XRP holds $1.30

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) extend their recovery, trading above $76,700, $2,400 and $1.300, respectively, on Friday. These top three cryptocurrencies now face key technical levels that could determine whether their recoveries extend further or pull back.

Silver is the metal the Copper rebound left behind

Copper producers answered a price near $14,000 a tonne by making more copper in the first half of 2026, and the way they did it means the silver shortfall gets no relief from the mines that supply more than a quarter of the world's silver. Copper is produced two ways.

How Japan became the World's Banker and why that era may be ending

Japan's ultra-low interest rates helped finance trillions of dollars in global investments for more than a decade, making the Japanese Yen one of the world’s cheapest sources of funding. With the Bank of Japan expected to tighten policy again this week, that advantage may be entering a new phase. While most major economies raised interest rates, Japan remained the world's outlier.