nzd Archives - Out of WACC

Last Wednesday (June 10, 2015), Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.25% (25 basis points) to 3.25% for the first time since March 2011. According to RBNZ, further easing may be needed if future economic data are weak (“We expect further easing may be appropriate. This will depend on the emerging data.”). They believe Kiwi (NZD) is overvalued and “…further significant downward adjustment is justified.”. I can tell that they badly want Kiwi to decline.

In 2014, RBNZ raised rates four times from 2.50% to 3.50% (March, April, June, July), before pausing further hikes due to price depreciation in oil and dairy.

RBNZ lowered interest rates to boost inflation as growth in New Zealand slows. They are responding to slowing growth as dairy prices fall and inflation is not showing any signs that it will increase. The inflation is near zero and the central bank wants it at 2%, same as other major countries. Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation currently stands at 0.1%. Fonterra Cooperative Group ltd., the world’s biggest dairy exporter, is a New Zealand company and is responsible for about 30% of the world’s dairy exports. The average prices of dairy has been declining, reflecting on lower inflation. Lower cash rate should help support dairy farmers which will lead to more spending.

The central bank also changed its growth forecast. They see inflation reaching their target–2%–by 4th quarter of 2016, from previous forecast at 3rd quarter of 2017. Why do they think that they will reach their inflation target by the end of 2016? They believe lower rates combined with currency decline (NZD, or Kiwi) will speed up inflation. However, they cut Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast for next year from 3.8% to 3.3%.

Screenshot (18) — RBNZ’s GDP growth and CPI forecasts

Screenshot (20) — Real GDP growth projections – Annual

Housing prices in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, have increased significantly. Lower borrowing costs (lower rates) might cause housing bubble which can have devastating effect across the country. Graeme Wheeler, governor of RBNZ, said a lack of housing supply is the main cause of surging market prices.

Immediately after the release, NZD (Kiwi) came crushing down. Kiwi against the US Dollar (NZD/USD) fell almost 200 pips to 0.7017, lowest since September 2010. After the immediate drop, I closed my short on NZD/USD, taking almost 800 pips profit. The reason for the close? The pair did not close below the support level around 0.7025. During this kind of news, the pair should have easily closed below the support level. Unfortunately, it did not. Therefore, I closed my position. As of right now, it’s below the support level and I would go short again once it rebounds little bit (and technical analysis of course).

Another news that might support NZD/USD to go lower are positive US economic news and upcoming rate-hike, unless future US economic reports are negative and the tone of the Fed changes to raising the rate later on.

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Update on MSFT: I’m still watching MSFT (Microsoft stock ticker) for good entry. I will go long on it in the future at a good entry price. Microsoft stock and other blue chip stock fell after Intel slashed revenue outlook due to weak PC demand. The decrease in the price of MSFT is still a good buying opportunity.

Microsoft (MSFT) - Hourly — Microsoft (MSFT) – Hourly

Last Wednesday, Reserve Bank of New Zealand left the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 3.5%. NZD (Kiwi) quickly reacted by rising as it disappointed traders who were looking for rate cut. In a statement by the Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler, cited that the New Zealand dollar “…remains unjustifiably high and unsustainable in terms of New Zealand’s long-term economic fundamentals.” I still believe that RBNZ will intervene and send NZD down, if not by rate-cut. I would be short on NZD/USD, at this time.

Upcoming: Bank of Japan (BoJ, Late Monday/early Tuesday – March 16/March 17 EST), Federal Reserve (Wednesday – March 18 – 2 P.M EST) and Swiss National Bank (SNB, Thursday – March 19 – 4:30 A.M EST).

BoJ will either hold or increase the stimulus package. If they do, JPY (Yen) will be bearish–sending USD/JPY further up–after rising to over 121.00 this week. If they don’t, we have to watch for their tone. It will be either bearish or bulling on the Yen, depending on what BoJ say, or react.

Federal Reserve will be watched very closely after a very positive non-farm payrolls last week. This week, U.S stocks were a roller coaster. There was a hard sell-off in equities and a bullish USD (U.S Dollar), due to an increasing chance of rate-hike. On Thursday (March 12, 2015), Retail Sales came out very negative. Retail Sales fell 0.6% (-0.6%), worse than expected of 0.3%, following -0.8%. Core Retail Sales (excluding automobiles which accounts for 20% of Retail Sales) fell 0.1% (-0.1%), worse than expected of 0.6%, following -1.1%. However, it was little better than previous report in February. I believe people who are saving money from low oil-prices are probably paying off their debts, before they spend on “wants”. The U.S market reacted positively because some people thought that negative Retail Sales would hold-off the Federal Reserve from raising the interest rates. On Wednesday, the Fed might also drop “patient”, signaling that rate-hike is very close.

S&P 500 (SPX) - Hourly — S&P 500 (SPX) – Hourly

SNB might set a new floor to the exchange rate (EUR/CHF). I would not trade CHF (Swiss Franc) because of two reasons. One, it’s too violent and there is no clear direction yet. Second, SNB does not know what it’s doing after what they did in January. But, I would still watch out closely, as it might affect other pairs, such as EUR and USD.

Tag: nzd

SURPRISE!!! RBNZ cuts rates by 0.25%

Update on Microsoft, RBNZ, and upcoming events to watch out.

Recap: Europe, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and The United States.