NZD/USD: Volatility could be the winner this month – ANZ

FXStreet Insights Team FXStreet

NZD/USD has had a volatile week. Economists at ANZ Bank analyze Kiwi’s outlook.

More reasons to be bullish than bearish

Although we think there are more reasons to be bullish than bearish, there are downside risks too.

While we are forecasting mild NZD strength over 2024, crosscurrents aplenty speak to continued volatility and range trading.

The Yen has been the main beneficiary of US regional bank woes this week, and that has weighed on NZD/JPY. But going the other way, NZD/AUD has appreciated, confounding consensus expectations for weakness. That move may have further to go given pleasing Australian CPI data earlier in the week, which should cement market expectations for RBA cuts by H2 and given the RBNZ’s much less dovish tone. But volatility could be the winner this month.

Author

FXStreet Insights Team

FXStreet

The FXStreet Insights Team is a group of journalists that handpicks selected market observations published by renowned experts. The content includes notes by commercial as well as additional insights by internal and external analysts.

AUD/USD sits near monthly high, around 0.7035 on hawkish RBA

AUD/USD trades around 0.7030-0.7035 in the Asian session on Thursday, near its monthly top, as recent hawkish comments from RBA officials continue to underpin the Australian Dollar. The US Dollar, meanwhile, struggles to lure buyers amid further declines in US bond yields, adding support to the pair. However, Fed rate-hike bets and geopolitical uncertainty help limit losses for the safe-haven buck, warranting caution for Aussie bulls.

USD/JPY remains confined in a familiar range; holds steady above 158.00

USD/JPY extends its consolidative price action through Thursday's Asian session, trading just above 158.00 amid diverging forces. Uncertainty over the timing of the next BoJ rate hike keeps Japanese Yen bulls on the defensive. The US Dollar, meanwhile, languishes near multi-week low amid declining US bond yields. Furthermore, looming intervention risks limit JPY losses and cap the pair. Traders also seem hesitant ahead of the Fed and BoJ meetings next week.

Gold hangs near one-week low; eyes $4,100 break amid Fed hike bets

Gold attracts fresh sellers in Thursday’s Asian session, sliding closer to a one-week low touched the previous day. Firming expectations for an imminent Fed rate hike, bolstered by oil-driven inflation risks, weigh on the non-yielding bullion. Meanwhile, declining US bond yields counter geopolitical uncertainty, keeping US Dollar bulls on the defensive. This helps XAU/USD defend $4,100.

XRP and XLM recovery stalls below EMAs

Ripple (XRP) and Stellar (XLM) remain under pressure on Thursday as both struggle to sustain their recent recovery attempts. XRP trades below $1.36, while XLM slips beneath $0.183, as mixed derivatives metrics, weakening momentum indicators and heating market conditions suggest cautious market sentiment. Derivatives data shows weakening conditions for Ripple and Stellar.

What the midterm elections mean for Treasury yields, the Dollar and Gold

Democrats are priced to take the House, so November 3 comes down to the Senate and how much Washington can borrow without the other party. Treasury yields will show the answer first, then the Dollar and Gold. On November 3, Americans vote for all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats. For bond prices, the result comes down to one thing: how much the government will borrow over the next two years.

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.