Please select your home edition
Edition

Collinson FX: June 29 - RBNZ opens door on interest cuts

by Collinson FX 2 Jul 2018 05:44 BST 2 July 2018
Oceanbridge NZL Sailing Regatta, Day 3, February 5, 2018, Murrays Bay SC © Richard Gladwell

Collinson FX: June 29 - RBNZ opens door on interest cuts

June 29: US Markets rebounded after losses in European markets were shaken off. The ‘Trade War’ has settled with no major developments, in terms of new retaliatory tariffs being levied, allowing US markets to recover. The Dollar remained bid, supported by investment Dollars and sentiment. US GDP came in around 2%, which was slightly lower than expected, but no major surprise.

The big news in local markets came from the RBNZ OCR decision. The NZ Central Bank left rates unchanged, as expected, but the accompanying rhetoric was dovish. The Governor changed the commentary, to open the door for interest cuts if the economy required it. This was a major turn in sentiment and reflects poorly on how the local economy is travelling. The NZD collapsed and now trades 0.6750, losing serious ground to all the cross rates. This dovish statement reflects the Governors view of the economy and a desire to push the NZD lower. The AUD fell back to 0.7350, dragged lower by the KIWI’s collapse.

The EUR was steady around 1.1550, while the GBP continued to give ground, trading below 1.3100. German CPI data was soft, while Consumer and Business Confidence was flat. Local markets await a slew of important data from Japan, with Employment, CPI and Industrial Production, which could impact.

Collinson FX: June 28 - Trade wars rumble

June 28: Trade war fears subsided, ever so slightly, as the US Committee on Foreign Investment was charged with administering sensitive investments. This was a relief to many, as the Trump administration has threatened severe action over Chinese investment in US Tech, deciding a much more structured and sensible way forward. On the economic front, US Durable Goods Orders declined 0.6%, while Pending Home Sales contracted 0.5%. The data was largely ignored, overwhelmed by the trade narrative, enveloping global markets.

The Dollar regained upward momentum, with the EUR falling to 1.1550, while the GBP dropped to 1.3125. The GBP was hit by the rising reserve, but remains mired in ‘Brexit’ fluctuations, which is likely to continue until a resolution is decided. The AUD traded 0.7350, but it was the KIWI that suffered, plunging below 0.6800. The rising reserve added to the downward momentum, which had been triggered by yet another disastrous Business Confidence number, following in a long line of adverse data. NZ Business Confidence has been melancholy and is largely a reflection in policy direction of the left-leaning coalition Government, rather than specific fiscal, or economic reasons. The RBNZ is unlikely to move the OCR, but the Governor may surprise with the associated rhetoric, which may impact an extremely vulnerable currency. The NZD losses overnight have left the currency in an exposed technical position.

Trade and Dollar moves have dominated markets, on a macro level, but the RBNZ has the ability to disrupt the local currency.

Collinson FX: June 27 - US protects position

27 June: Trade wars remain front and centre of global markets overnight, with equity markets stabilising, while the Dollar regained ground. The US are looking to impose new sanctions, to protect IP and technology theft, which was aimed at China but will include all nations. The are reports that the Chinese may not have the stomach for an extended trade war, fighting from a defensive position, with their massive trade surplus threatened. Trump reacted strongly to Harley Davidsons' moves to offshore production to avoid tariffs, threatened a world of tax pain, after providing unprecedented support for the company throughout his Presidency.

The Dollar regained ground, with the EUR slipping back to 1.1650, while the Yen moved to 110.10. The S&P Home Price index was steady, while the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index jumped strongly, in line with recent strong performances. Commodity currencies also suffered a rising reserve, with the AUD trading below 0.7400, while the NZD fell back to 0.6850. The NZ market awaits Trade data, out this morning, with positive expectations.

Trade wars remains the focus of the weeks market moves, while NZ Central Bank rhetoric is undermining the currency, in the face of a stronger reserve.

Collinson FX: June 26 - Upping the ante

26 June: Escalating 'trade wars' hit global equity markets overnight. The tit-for-tat is now spreading across Europe, China and North America. Europe appears to be the primary target, as pressure mounts on Merkel, meaning the EU 'team leader' is especially vulnerable. Merkel has been given an ultimatum, by her domestic coalition partners, to come up with a solution to the immigration crises. She met with a selected group of EU leaders and they failed to find a solution and she has resorted to negotiations with individual members. This issue could bring down the German leader and signal a change of the old guard elites, that have brought Europe to this point. The pressure on Europe is immense and the Trump administration has used this opportunity to open a trade war. The Art of the Deal!

Turkeys President Erdogan was re-elected and reinforces his position, which provides stability, but drags the nation towards the dreaded Islamic theocracy. The UK has been hit by a series of corporate threats, with Airbus and BMW indicating closures, in a post-Brexit Britain. This puts further pressure on the British but these global corporates need to be careful. This could damage their brand and market and there are opponents who will gladly step in to the void. The EUR regained 1.1700, despite the turmoil, while the GBP settled around 1.3280.

The trade exposed countries remain extremely vulnerable to the escalating global trade wars, although the softer reserve allowed the commodity currencies to settle. The AUD teeters around 0.7400, while the NZD slipped back below 0.6900, as local NZ market looks to the Central Bank for direction.

Blooming global trade wars remain the greatest destabilising threat to markets.

Catch the new look Collinson FX website at www.collinsonco.com Disclaimer: The details expressed in this website and accompanying documents or transmissions are for information purposes only and are not intended as a solicitation for funds or a recommendation to trade. Collinson Forex Ltd accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damages suffered through any act or omission taken as a result of reading or interpreting any of the information contained or related to this site

For more on Collinson FX the latest update click here now

Countries: | NZ: 0800 338 838 | AU: 1800 143 415 | NY: 1888 6257 833 | UK: 0800 0285 834 |

Related Articles

Collinson FX May 12: US/China trade progress
The US Treasury Secretary meets, this coming weekend in Switzerland, with China. The US Treasury Secretary meets, this coming weekend in Switzerland, with China. This is the key trade agreement and progress is expected. Posted on 11 May
Collinson FX May 5: US markets rally strongly
Markets brush off a shock headline US GDP number, May opens on a strong note Markets in the US rallied strongly to close out a week of strong gains, brushing off a shock headline US GDP number. US equities rallied into the close for the week, opening the month of May on a positive note. Posted on 5 May
Collinson FX April 11: More whiplash for markets
Markets will be suffering severe whiplash, after the last couple of weeks trade. Markets will be suffering severe whiplash, after the last couple of weeks trade, and overnight was no exception. Asian and European markets posted big gains, bolstered by the Trump announcement of a ‘pause' on tariffs, on all but China. Posted on 11 Apr
Collinson FX November 11: Feel good US economy
US Federal Chairman says he is ,‘feeling good' about the US economy Markets continued to rally, following the huge wave of positive sentiment from the election of President Trump. The Fed unanimously voted to cut a further 25 basis points. US Federal Reserve Chairman, that he was ‘feeling good' about the US economy. Posted on 11 Nov 2024
Collinson FX June 7: ECB cuts rates
ECB (European Central Bank) cuts rates for the first time in five years, more cuts expected The ECB (European Central Bank) cuts rates for the first time in five years, as expected, offering relief to borrowers. Markets anticipate that the ECB will cut again, at least once, this year. Posted on 10 Jun 2024
Collinson FX: OCR hold lifts NZD
RBNZ was hawkish, citing inflationary pressures, in their decision not to change the Cash Rate RBNZ was hawkish, citing inflationary pressures, in their latest decision to leave interest rates at these elevated levels, until at least next year. That had the same impact on the currency, with the NZD rallying strongly following the RBNZ rate decision Posted on 22 May 2024