The NZD/USD pair extends gains for the second consecutive session, trading near 0.5980 during Thursday's European session. Daily chart analysis shows a bearish bias, with the pair moving within a descending channel. A breakout above this descending channel could signal a potential shift in momentum.
Further supporting this outlook, the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) remains below the 14-day EMA, reinforcing the bearish sentiment for NZD/USD. Short-term momentum appears weak, indicating continued downward pressure.
The 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), a key momentum indicator, hovers just above 30. A dip below this threshold would signal an oversold condition, potentially hinting at an impending upward correction for the NZD/USD pair.
On the downside, NZD/USD may approach the lower boundary of the descending channel near 0.5920. A decisive break below this support could drive the pair toward the next "pullback support" around the 0.5850 level.
On the resistance side, the initial hurdle for NZD/USD lies at the upper boundary of the descending channel, aligning with the nine-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near 0.6001, followed by the 14-day EMA at 0.6026. A sustained move above these EMAs could shift the pair to a short-term bullish stance, potentially targeting the psychological level of 0.6100.
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD), also known as the Kiwi, is a well-known traded currency among investors. Its value is broadly determined by the health of the New Zealand economy and the country’s central bank policy. Still, there are some unique particularities that also can make NZD move. The performance of the Chinese economy tends to move the Kiwi because China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner. Bad news for the Chinese economy likely means less New Zealand exports to the country, hitting the economy and thus its currency. Another factor moving NZD is dairy prices as the dairy industry is New Zealand’s main export. High dairy prices boost export income, contributing positively to the economy and thus to the NZD.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) aims to achieve and maintain an inflation rate between 1% and 3% over the medium term, with a focus to keep it near the 2% mid-point. To this end, the bank sets an appropriate level of interest rates. When inflation is too high, the RBNZ will increase interest rates to cool the economy, but the move will also make bond yields higher, increasing investors’ appeal to invest in the country and thus boosting NZD. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken NZD. The so-called rate differential, or how rates in New Zealand are or are expected to be compared to the ones set by the US Federal Reserve, can also play a key role in moving the NZD/USD pair.
Macroeconomic data releases in New Zealand are key to assess the state of the economy and can impact the New Zealand Dollar’s (NZD) valuation. A strong economy, based on high economic growth, low unemployment and high confidence is good for NZD. High economic growth attracts foreign investment and may encourage the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase interest rates, if this economic strength comes together with elevated inflation. Conversely, if economic data is weak, NZD is likely to depreciate.
The New Zealand Dollar (NZD) tends to strengthen during risk-on periods, or when investors perceive that broader market risks are low and are optimistic about growth. This tends to lead to a more favorable outlook for commodities and so-called ‘commodity currencies’ such as the Kiwi. Conversely, NZD tends to weaken at times of market turbulence or economic uncertainty as investors tend to sell higher-risk assets and flee to the more-stable safe havens.