NZD opens the week with a softer tone currently at the 0.6650 level; NZD has underperformed on the NZDAUD cross and is now back around the 0.9150 level; Fed is expected to increase interest rates by 0.25% for the third time this year

NZD/USD

The New Zealand dollar (NZD) opens the week with a softer tone currently at the 0.6650 level, look for sideways trading ahead of Thursday’s Fed result and the RBNZ rate decision. Tomorrow will see Business confidence data and given the larger than expected GDP figure last week interest will focus on whether this reflected in the confidence data, we suspect not and look for a weaker result. Current ranges should hold but we continue to favour NZD downside and a test of 0.6600 over the next few days.

NZD/AUD (AUD/NZD)

The New Zealand dollar (NZD) has underperformed on this cross and is now back around the 0.9150 level. It should stay in a sideways pattern until the RBNZ data Thursday although tomorrow's Business confidence data could see the NZD sag a little on this cross towards 0.9100. With better Aussie economic stats likely over the next few months we expect a broader medium term move towards 0.8950.

NZD/GBP (GBP/NZD)

This cross continues to be choppy, with the UK Pound (GBP) still being Brexit headline driven. The New Zealand dollar (NZD) has retraced some of its recent gain to 0.5113 against the GBP with the NZD/GBP now at 0.5070 awaiting for further direction from the RBNZ release Thursday. If tomorrows confidence data is poor look for another test of 0.5000 on a follow through of a dovish RBNZ.

 NZD/CAD

Stronger oil prices have supported the Canadian dollar (CAD) with this cross dropping back from a high last week around 0.8643 to trade now at 0.8602. With the firmer CPI data in Canada and potential rate hike by the BoC next month the CAD should keep the NZD on the backfoot.

NZD/EURO (EURO/NZD)

0.5693 to 0.5655 where it is currently trading. It should trade around current levels ahead of the RBNZ result on Thursday. Longer term we favour NZD downside.

NZD/YEN

This cross has drifted lower after a jump to the 75.52 level after last week’s better than expected NZ GDP figure. Now sitting around 75.03 it is approaching support levels. It should hold above 74.80 support ahead of the RBNZ Thursday, but a bad confidence figure tomorrow may see an early test of this level.

AUD/USD

The Australian dollar (AUD) has opened the week softer against the USD dropping back from the 0.7300 level to currently trade at 0.7256. The trade tensions have not helped risk currencies like the AUD however we expect trading to stay in a holding pattern around current levels ahead of the Fed release on Thursday. Better fundamentals should help the AUD in the medium term, but a break of 0.7250 would target 0.7190 support.

AUD/GBP (GBP/AUD) 

After a move to 0.5567 the AUD has retreated to the 0.5532 mark against the UK Pound (GBP), but with politics now in the Brexit mix, the AUD now looks better dressed than the GBP in this cross and should hold above the 0.5520 level over the next few days. Longer term we continue to favour the AUD backed by its better economic forecasts and look for a move over 0.5600 into next month.

AUD/EURO (EURO/AUD)

The more positive comments from ECB Head Draghi overnight saw the AUD retreat from the 0.6174 level to a low of 0.6157, it is now trading around 0.6173 and should hold around these levels until the Fed release on Thursday. Metal prices are still AUD supportive and we retain our view of a move back to the 0.6230/50 level later in the week.

AUD/YEN

Quiet trading in this cross, with light volumes to begin the week due to yesterday’s Japanese holiday….now at 81.88 with little direction ahead of the US Fed rate announcement on Thursday...with base metal prices still supportive we look for a move to the 82.50 region later this week.

AUD/CAD

The AUD has softened on this cross as the stronger Canadian CPI figures and subsequent heightened potential for a BoC rate hike next month boosted the CAD which is now around 0.9396 after a high of 0.94196 yesterday..NAFTA continues to remain a risk for the CAD and we maintain our view of a move to the 0.9450/60 level for the AUD/CAD later this week.

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Market commentary:

This week kicked off with Asian equities lower, as stocks in Hong Kong fell with U.S. equity futures and the Australian dollar after China withdrew from planned trade talks with U.S. officials, potentially triggering an escalation in the protracted tariff war between the world’s two-biggest economies, as additional trade tariffs came into force on Monday. The escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions will test two strong weeks of gains for Asian equities that lifted stocks off this year’s lows in part due to optimism that economies can weather the hit from trade restrictions. Investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co commented that it was factoring into its strategy, a growing potential for a “Phase III” of the trade war next year affecting all Chinese imports, which would lead to weaker Chinese growth and hit U.S. stocks. Also of main note this week is the Fed rate decision at Wednesday’s FOMC meeting, where the Fed is expected to increase interest rates by 0.25% for the third time this year, with the market increasingly pricing in a fourth rate hike in December given the solid economic results still flowing from the US. On currency markets, look for the stronger USD trend to continue and the EUR to remain under pressured with the stronger USD and Brexit issues. The GBP continues to swing at the mercy of Brexit headlines and now the wildcard of a snap UK election (in our view unlikely) with any upside severely limited. The Australian and New Zealand dollars will very much remain driven by offshore sentiment although the RBNZ rate decision on Thursday may provide a local diversion (no rate change expected but forward projections will be closely watched).

Australia

The Aussie heads into the new trading week trading on thin ice, with Monday kicking off with a sharp downside gap for the AUD/USD after weekend headlines reported that China has snubbed the idea of any more trade talks with the US. The Aussie Dollar has had a tough year. But whether in the aftermath of this week's Fed meeting the message from Fed Chair Jerome Powell is deemed US dollar dovish or hawkish will help to determine if the AUD/USD can hang onto recent strength and can mount another assault on the 0.7300 level. Today will see consumer confidence data released but this is not expected to have much influence on current market levels. The AUD is back around 0.7250 against the USD and if it can hold around current levels the potential for a push to test back over the 0.7300 level on a neutral to dovish Fed statement will increase. Base metal prices are still holding, and this also lends support for further AUD consolidation. Although USD strength is still the preference in the AUD/USD, with an Australian economy that now seems to be moving along quite nicely, better than expectations at the start of the year, June Q2 GDP up 0.9% annualised at 3.4%, any suggestion of a watering down of Fed rate moves on Thursday would likely see the AUD test back at the aforementioned 0.7300 level.

New Zealand

With the PM being feted around New York this week, which should bring more positive attention to New Zealand, any “Jacinda” effect on the NZD will be overshadowed by the RBNZ statement on Thursday. After the better than expected jump in GDP data last week saw elevated NZD trading continue, although now focus is on Thursday’s RBNZ rate decision, while no change is widely expected , it is the forward projections that will be of interest. If the RBNZ is more dovish and looks through the stronger GDP data, which is by nature somewhat historical and is more focused on risks to global trade any hints of further “accommodative” measures (read rate cuts) the NZD will take a knock. We look for a more neutral stance with the usual comments in the tone of “will continue to observe ongoing economic data” which should see the NZD maintain its gradual softening trend against our main trading partner currencies. From a high last week of 0.6696 after the strong GDP release the NZD has drifted back to the 0.6640 level and we expect a 0.6620-0.6695 range ahead of the Thursday RBNZ release.

United States

US equity markets were lower overnight on continuing concerns over the outlook for global trade and US politics and with the news that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein may leave his post on Thursday. Industrial shares led the S&P 500 Index lower after China warned it won’t meet with American officials unless they stop threatening to expand tariffs. All eyes are on the Fed rate decision on Thursday and the following press conference by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Also on Thursday US durable goods, jobless claims and GDP data will be released.  An uptick in political temperature and the escalation in cross-Pacific trade tensions are testing global equities, which have posted two strong weeks of gains in part due to optimism that economies can weather any potential tariffs.  Obviously, the main mover for US and global markets is the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting that will likely see interest rates increased for the third time this year, with markets increasingly pricing for another one in December. Continued hawkish talk from the Fed will underpin the USD and is likely to drive the US unit higher against all its trading partners into year end. The counterweight to this is the increasing trade war, but any gauge of flow-on from the increased tariffs is not likely to be reflected in US economic statistics until very late this year early 2019.

Europe

Overnight ECB President Draghi gave an upbeat address to the European Parliament reiterating the ECB’s forecast for solid growth and commenting that they were looking for a “relatively vigorous pick-up in underlying inflation” amongst some solid growth in the medium term. EU capacity utilization remains elevated and over 9.2 million jobs have been added across the EU over the last 5 years. Although these have not been evenly balanced across all member countries. On the risk side Draghi downplayed emerging market risks but noted that trade protectionism was rising in risk profile.  Higher oil prices have contributed in a large part to an increase in inflation and despite the ECB’s expectations on increases in underlying inflation there is little evidence that its core inflation is about to embark on a broadly-based increase. German CPI is due for release later this week and given Draghi's comments, the risk is to the upside for this report. EUR/USD levels received a boost from Draghi’s comments making a high of 1.1814, it has slipped back to the 1.1745/50 level and should tread water in a 1.1725-1.1820 range ahead of the FOMC meeting on Thursday. Any sign of an end of rate hikes from the US Fed would see a move back to test the 1.1850 level last seen mid-June. On a more hawkish Fed stance, look for move back towards the 1.1680 levels. Brexit volatility holds in the wings.

United Kingdom

Brexit confusion has been joined by political confusion for the UK as rumours abound of the Government calling a snap election in November to get a clear mandate to cut a Brexit deal. Given the last election result for Conservatives we view this scenario as extremely unlikely, akin to “turkeys voting for an early Christmas”. However more uncertainty abounds for the GBP, with the Labour party offering hints of support for a second Brexit referendum. All eyes are back on PM May’s leadership prospects heading into next week’s Conservative party conference. UK data continues to be patchy, although there are a few bright spots. However, industries are getting very nervous around a “no-deal” Brexit and several large companies, particularly in the auto sector have issued dire warnings on the consequences for jobs and profitability should a no-deal Brexit occur. UK Brexit Secretary Raab commented a couple of times through overnight, with optimistic comments aimed to cool down fears rather than offering something substantially relevant. He dismissed chances of a snap election and said that the Cabinet meeting ended after a "healthy discussion.” GBP trading continues to pretty much be focused on the Brexit swings with the GBP/USD having eased back from 1.3165 highs to the current 1.3113 mark. Trading in the GBP unit remains confused, but we see the downside favoured especially if support at 1.3090 gives way.

Japan

Japanese PM Abe is in New York to discuss trade with President Trump but no major market moving announcements are expected. With Monday being a Japanese holiday JPY trading was thin and we expect little action ahead of Thursday’s FOMC meeting. The USD/JPY although showing no clear trend, has ticked higher overnight to 114.78, but until a break of 112.85 is made and sustained a move to take out the 113.00 level is off the table. The Fed data Thursday, could provide the catalyst for such a move.

Canada

Canada’s inflation rate slowed in August after hitting a seven-year high as gasoline prices moderated, though underlying price pressures continued to inch higher, with the CPI recording an annual pace of 2.8% during the month, in line with economist expectations, in data released on Friday. Although a slowdown in headline inflation was recorded, accelerating core inflation suggests the theme of an economy running up against capacity constraints and generating inflationary pressures still holds, strengthening the case for the Bank of Canada to hike rates again next month (this would be the fifth time since mid 2017). NAFTA negotiations continue with the latest deadline for a resolution being September 30th.  The USD/CAD continues to trade with a positive tone currently around 1.2946 back marginally from overnight highs around the 1.2955. Support id down at 1.2900 and if this holds and the Fed result on Thursday is dollar hawkish, look for a test of 1.3000.

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