NZDUSD
NZDUSD

RBNZ Interest Rate Decision Preview: Key Levels for NZD/USD

Summary:
  • NZD/USD remains range-bound ahead of the RBNZ interest rate decision. Strengthening US dollar is also impacting the pair.

NZD/USD is trading lower as the market reacts to the Q1’21 NZIER Business Confidence Index. The index, which is an indicator of New Zealand’s economic health came in at -13%, which is lower than -6% in Q4’20.

Besides, the US dollar has strengthened amid rising bond yields. On Tuesday, the benchmark 10-year US bond yields were up by 0.88% at 1.69. The surge has offered support to the greenback, which is trading higher by 0.12% at 92.25.

Later in the day, NZD/USD will be reacting to the US core CPI data. Analysts expect a reading of 0.2%, up from February’s 0.1%. A higher-than-expected number will further strengthen the greenback against the New Zealand dollar.

ATFX Cashback 336×280

Furthermore, investors are eyeing the RBNZ interest rate decision. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is set to maintain interest rates at the current 0.25%. However, the focus will be on its tone, at a time when it is striving to deal with the soaring housing prices.    

NZDUSD Technical Outlook

NZD/USD has been range-bound since the beginning of April. The pair has been trading between 0.7000 and 0.7070. On a three-hour chart, it is below the 20 and 50-day exponential moving averages. Notably, the 20-day EMA has crossed over the 50-day EMA to the downside.

At the time of writing, USD/NZD was trading lower by 0.18% at 0.7018. With the formation of the rectangular pattern, the outlook is rather neutral. The pair may remain range-bound in today’s session as investors await tomorrow’s RBNZ interest rate decision. On the lower side, a move past 0.7000 will place the next target at 0.6945. On the flip side, a surge above 0.7100 will result in an uptrend. If that happens, the next target will be 0.7141.

NZD/USD Chart