Fundamental Forecast for New Zealand Dollar: Neutral
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The New Zealand dollar pared the rebound from 0.8100 as the economic calendar instilled a weakened outlook for the region, but we may see the high-yielding currency preserve the range-bound price action carried over from the previous month as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) persistently strikes a neutral tone for monetary policy. Indeed, the NZDUSD quickly fell back from a fresh monthly high of 0.8307 as New Zealand’s jobless rate advanced to 7.3% – the highest since 1999 – and the ongoing weakness in the real economy may continue to drag on the exchange rate as it spurs bets for a rate cut.
However, RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler argued that lowering the benchmark interest rate further would have a limited impact in triggering a ‘major depreciation in the exchange rate in the short term,’ and continued to highlight the risk for a higher exchange rate should ‘New Zealand’s relative growth outlook continued to be perceived as favorable despite the lower terms of trade.’ At the same time, the central bank head warned ‘excessive credit growth could hinder rebalancing of the economy and accentuate existing vulnerabilities’ as household and businesses take advantage of record-low borrowing costs, and the uptick in private sector borrowing will certainly limit the RBNZ’s scope to ease policy further as it heightens the risk for an asset bubble.
As the RBNZ sees the persistent strength in the local currency having a dampening effect on the real economy, we may see Governor Wheeler continue to rely on the transmission mechanisms to talk down the exchange rate, and we should see the central bank carry its wait-and-see approach into the following year as policy makers anticipate the rebuilding efforts from the Christchurch earthquake to spur domestic growth. Despite the dismal data coming out of the region, Credit Suisse overnight index swaps reflect a 22% chance for a 25bp rate cut at the December 5 meeting, and the central bank may continue to endorse a neutral policy stance in 2013 in order to mitigate the threat for an asset bubble.
As the 10, 20, 50 and 100 Day moving averages on the NZDUSD start to converge with one another, the indicators instill a neutral outlook for the pair, and the kiwi-dollar may continue to track sideways ahead of the December meeting as it trades above the 0.7900 figure. However, we will keep a close eye on the relative strength index as it comes up against interim support around the 42 figure, and the oscillator may paint a bearish outlook for the NZDUSD should it continue to approach oversold territory. – DS
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Source: Daily fx