NZD extends gains ahead of GDP, Fed raises rates
The New Zealand dollar has extended its gains for a second straight day. NZD/USD is trading just above the 0.68 line in the North American session.
As expected, the Federal Reserve raised rates for the first time since 2018. Fed Chair Powell said he expects inflation to start to ease and that the Fed had a plan to raise rates during the course of the year. Today's lift-off is just the start of a rate-tightening cycle, but it remains unclear just how fast a pace the Fed will take towards normalization. The markets have priced in six rate hikes during the year, but this projection may have to be scaled back due to the tremendous turbulence in the financial markets.
The war in Ukraine has injected plenty of volatility into the financial markets. We've seen risk apprehension subside when there has been talk of a ceasefire, only to rise back up when the fighting continued. Today's reports are more encouraging, with the warring sides apparently working on a detailed plan to end the fighting, which would include Ukraine declaring neutrality. An announcement of a ceasefire would raise risk appetite and likely give a boost to the New Zealand dollar.
New Zealand releases GDP for Q1 later today, with a gain of 3.2% YoY expected. This follows a dismal third quarter, which saw the economy, which was hampered by Covid restrictions contract by 3.2%. A strong gain could extend the New Zealand dollar's current upswing.
NZD/USD has support at 0.6763 and 6716
There is resistance at 0.6893 and 0.6974
As expected, the Federal Reserve raised rates for the first time since 2018. Fed Chair Powell said he expects inflation to start to ease and that the Fed had a plan to raise rates during the course of the year. Today's lift-off is just the start of a rate-tightening cycle, but it remains unclear just how fast a pace the Fed will take towards normalization. The markets have priced in six rate hikes during the year, but this projection may have to be scaled back due to the tremendous turbulence in the financial markets.
The war in Ukraine has injected plenty of volatility into the financial markets. We've seen risk apprehension subside when there has been talk of a ceasefire, only to rise back up when the fighting continued. Today's reports are more encouraging, with the warring sides apparently working on a detailed plan to end the fighting, which would include Ukraine declaring neutrality. An announcement of a ceasefire would raise risk appetite and likely give a boost to the New Zealand dollar.
New Zealand releases GDP for Q1 later today, with a gain of 3.2% YoY expected. This follows a dismal third quarter, which saw the economy, which was hampered by Covid restrictions contract by 3.2%. A strong gain could extend the New Zealand dollar's current upswing.
NZD/USD has support at 0.6763 and 6716
There is resistance at 0.6893 and 0.6974
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