RBNZ Reinforces Dovish Stance and Delivers 50bp Cut
Overnight, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) reduced its Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points (bps) and signalled further policy easing is on the table amid softening inflation. This leaves the current OCR at 4.75%.
Cuts Ahead
The accompanying Rate Statement communicated that the current economic landscape provides scope to reduce rates further. However, the central bank emphasised that rate adjustments depend on the ‘evolving assessment of the economy’ and ‘there are still risks that further adjustments might be faster or slower than currently expected’.
The Committee also touched on escalating tensions in the Middle East, noting that it ‘could pose significant risks to both global economic activity and energy prices. Should conflict escalate, oil prices and shipping costs could rise, and adverse investor sentiment could trigger asset price corrections and tighter financial conditions’.
Several desks and money markets (the Overnight Index Swaps market) are currently pricing in another 50bp cut for November’s meeting – this will be the last time the central bank meets in 2024.
New Zealand’s Economy at a Standstill
We must remember that the RBNZ was one of the first G10 central banks to begin rapid policy tightening, and inflation has indeed slowed. However, in the process, demand has weakened, unemployment rose to 4.6% in Q2 24 (the highest rate since early 2021), and the economy has all but reached a standstill over the last two years (real Gross Domestic Product contracted by 0.2% in Q2 24) with a shallow technical recession seen in the second half of 2023.
Markets will receive the latest CPI inflation (Consumer Price Index) data from New Zealand next week – this is released every quarter – with the expectation that CPI inflation will ease back into the RBNZ’s target inflation band of 1-3% in Q3 24 (YoY) from 3.3% in Q2 24. Of note, however, this is tradeable inflation. Domestic inflation (or non-tradeable inflation) is a different story and is proving sticky; the latest release showed that non-tradeable inflation rose 5.4% in Q2 24 (YoY), down from 5.8% in Q1 24.
NZD Lower Across the Board
Today’s decision/forward guidance sent the New Zealand dollar (NZD) tumbling against G10 peers, with losses most notable versus the US dollar (USD) and Swiss franc (CHF) as of writing.
Early London has the NZD trading a whisker north of daily lows versus the USD from NZ$0.6075, propelling the NZD/USD currency pair through a descending resistance-turned-support level (extended from the high of NZ$0.6369).
The decision point zone at NZ$0.6035-NZ$0.6056 calls for attention and may see traders begin locking in some profit if the area is tested, given the sell-stops tripped south of the higher low formed at NZ$0.6106 (11 September). The next major support level beyond the decision point to consider is around NZ$0.5991.
Overall, per the above structure, the pairing demonstrates scope to continue exploring lower levels.
Cuts Ahead
The accompanying Rate Statement communicated that the current economic landscape provides scope to reduce rates further. However, the central bank emphasised that rate adjustments depend on the ‘evolving assessment of the economy’ and ‘there are still risks that further adjustments might be faster or slower than currently expected’.
The Committee also touched on escalating tensions in the Middle East, noting that it ‘could pose significant risks to both global economic activity and energy prices. Should conflict escalate, oil prices and shipping costs could rise, and adverse investor sentiment could trigger asset price corrections and tighter financial conditions’.
Several desks and money markets (the Overnight Index Swaps market) are currently pricing in another 50bp cut for November’s meeting – this will be the last time the central bank meets in 2024.
New Zealand’s Economy at a Standstill
We must remember that the RBNZ was one of the first G10 central banks to begin rapid policy tightening, and inflation has indeed slowed. However, in the process, demand has weakened, unemployment rose to 4.6% in Q2 24 (the highest rate since early 2021), and the economy has all but reached a standstill over the last two years (real Gross Domestic Product contracted by 0.2% in Q2 24) with a shallow technical recession seen in the second half of 2023.
Markets will receive the latest CPI inflation (Consumer Price Index) data from New Zealand next week – this is released every quarter – with the expectation that CPI inflation will ease back into the RBNZ’s target inflation band of 1-3% in Q3 24 (YoY) from 3.3% in Q2 24. Of note, however, this is tradeable inflation. Domestic inflation (or non-tradeable inflation) is a different story and is proving sticky; the latest release showed that non-tradeable inflation rose 5.4% in Q2 24 (YoY), down from 5.8% in Q1 24.
NZD Lower Across the Board
Today’s decision/forward guidance sent the New Zealand dollar (NZD) tumbling against G10 peers, with losses most notable versus the US dollar (USD) and Swiss franc (CHF) as of writing.
Early London has the NZD trading a whisker north of daily lows versus the USD from NZ$0.6075, propelling the NZD/USD currency pair through a descending resistance-turned-support level (extended from the high of NZ$0.6369).
The decision point zone at NZ$0.6035-NZ$0.6056 calls for attention and may see traders begin locking in some profit if the area is tested, given the sell-stops tripped south of the higher low formed at NZ$0.6106 (11 September). The next major support level beyond the decision point to consider is around NZ$0.5991.
Overall, per the above structure, the pairing demonstrates scope to continue exploring lower levels.
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