🎈 Up Big Today: Find today's biggest gainers (some over 50%!) with our free screenerTry Stock Screener

Australia, NZ dollars off multi-week highs, Fed in focus

Published 14/06/2017, 01:09 pm
Australia, NZ dollars off multi-week highs, Fed in focus
AUD/USD
-
NZD/USD
-
GBP/AUD
-
GBP/NZD
-

By Cecile Lefort and Charlotte Greenfield

SYDNEY/WELLINGTON, June 14 (Reuters) - The Australian and New Zealand dollars drifted off multi-week highs on Wednesday, with the market focused on what the Federal Reserve might signal about its massive debt portfolio at a policy meeting later in the session.

The New Zealand dollar NZD=D4 was a touch lower at $0.7219 but still near three-month highs of $0.7228 touched on Tuesday. Chart resistance was found at $0.7230 and $0.7244 with support around $0.7200.

It briefly dipped below 72 cents after first-quarter current account data showed a larger-than-expected annual deficit due to soaring imports. the import surge reflected strong domestic demand, it also pointed to some downside risk to New Zealand's gross domestic product figures due on Thursday. ECONNZ

Economists forecast the economy grew 0.7 percent in the first quarter against the fourth, up from 0.4 percent in the final quarter of 2016. Australian dollar AUD=D4 held steady at $0.7539, having met heavy resistance ahead of a double top at $0.7565 and $0.7568. Support was found at $0.7520.

A raft of data out of China, Australia's top export market, showed the economy was holding up. ECONCN

"Chinese data was roughly in line with expectations and ultimately this will underpin iron ore prices and support the Aussie dollar," said Elias Haddad, a strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Iron ore is Australia's largest export earner.

The market's focus is now on the Fed's policy decision at 1800 GMT with a news conference to follow from Chair Janet Yellen.

Investors fully expect a rate rise and the attention will be on the outlook for policy and particularly when the central bank might begin to wind down its massive portfolio of U.S. debt.

The pound bounced off multi-week lows against the Antipodeans GBPAUD=R GBPNZD=R after higher-than-expected inflation in the UK and reports Britain's ruling Conservative Party was likely to sign a deal to form a minority government.

New Zealand government bonds 0#NZTSY= gained, sending yields 1 basis points lower.

Australian government bond futures were mixed, with the three-year bond contract YTTc1 off 1.5 ticks at 98.235.

The 10-year contract YTCc1 was steady at 97.5750, while the 20-year contract YXXc1 added 1.75 ticks to 97.0475, nearing a seven-month peak. (Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.