The NZD/USD currency pair has been on a downward trend, with the New Zealand Dollar depreciating to near 0.5880 during the Asian trading session. This movement can be attributed to the escalated geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, specifically the anticipation of Israel’s response to Iran’s recent assault. As a result, investors have been turning towards the US Dollar seeking refuge amidst the uncertainty.
Traders are eagerly awaiting New Zealand’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for the first quarter of 2024, which is scheduled for release on Wednesday. There is an expectation of a slight uptick to 0.6% quarter-on-quarter, compared to the previous period’s 0.5%. This data will provide valuable insights into the economic health of New Zealand and could potentially impact the movement of the NZD/USD pair.
It is interesting to note that China, a close trading partner of New Zealand, has expressed its condemnation of the recent attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria. The Chinese foreign minister conveyed Iran’s willingness to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation of the situation. Despite this response, the New Zealand Dollar has not seen any significant movement in response to the mixed Chinese data releases.
The US Dollar has been gaining strength, driven by better-than-expected Retail Sales data. March’s Retail Sales (MoM) rose by 0.7%, surpassing market expectations of 0.3%. This positive data has reduced hopes for potential monetary policy easing by the Federal Reserve (Fed). The Retail Sales Control Group also saw a significant increase of 1.1%, indicating a strong consumer spending trend.
Investors are now turning their attention towards upcoming US housing data and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at the Washington Forum. These events could provide further insights into the US economic outlook and impact the direction of the NZD/USD pair. It will be crucial to monitor these factors closely to assess the future movement of the currency pair.
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