NZD/USD December Rebound to Unravel on Slowing New Zealand GDP

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- New Zealand Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to Slow to Annualized 2.4% from 2.5% in 2Q 2017.

- Will Incoming RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr Stick to the Record-Low Cash Rate?

Trading the News : New Zealand Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

New Zealand's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report may spark a bearish reaction in NZD/USD as the growth rate is anticipated to slow to an annualized 2.4% from 2.5% in the second quarter of 2017, with the pair at risk of giving back the rebound from earlier this month as it encourages the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) to keep the cash rate at the record-low.

Even though Adrian Orr is scheduled to take the helm in March 2018, signs of tepid growth may sap bets for an imminent change in the monetary policy outlook as ' underlying inflation remains subdued .' Keep in mind, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's initiative to 'review and revise' the RBNZ's mandate will be a key theme to watch in 2018, with the threat of a major overhaul likely to drag on the local currency as it limits the central bank's scope to alter the course for policy.

Nevertheless, a positive development may trigger a bullish reaction in NZD/USD as it puts pressure on the RBNZ to move away from its easing-cycle, but the broader outlook for the kiwi-dollar exchange rate remains tilted to the downside as both price and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) preserve the bearish trends carried over from the summer months.

Impact that New Zealand's GDP report has had on NZD /USD during the previous quarter

2Q 2017 New Zealand Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

NZD/USD 15-Minute Chart

New Zealand's 2Q Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report showed the economy expanding another 2.5% per annum to mark the slowest pace of growth since 2015, with the economic activity increasing 0.8% during the three months through June. The lackluster recovery is likely to keep the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) on the sidelines as officials reiterate 'm onetary policy will remain accommodative for a considerable period ,' and acting Governor Grant Spencer appears to be on course to carry the record-low cash rate into 2018 as 'h eadline inflation is likely to decline in coming quarters as the effects of higher fuel and food prices dissipate. '

The New Zealand dollar lost ground following the batch of lackluster GDP figures, with NZD/USD slipping below the 0.7350 region to end the day at 0.7306. Interested in watching the market reaction? Sign up & join DailyFX Currency Strategist Ilya Spivak LIVE to cover New Zealand's 3Q GDP report .

NZD/USD Daily Chart

• Near-term outlook for NZD/USD remains constructive as it breaks out of the monthly opening range, but the lack of momentum to break/close above the 0.7040 (50% retracement) hurdle raises the risk for a larger pullback especially as the pair snaps the series of higher highs & lows from the previous week.
• Broader outlook for NZD/USD remains tilted to the downside as both price and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) preserve the bearish formations carried over from the summer months, with a break/close the 0.6940 (61.8% expansion) to 0 . 6950 (38.2% retracement) region raising the risk for a move back towards 0.6820 (23.6% retracement) to 0.6890 (23.6% expansion), which largely lines up with the 2017-low (0.6780).

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--- Written by David Song, Currency Analyst

To contact David, e-mail dsong@dailyfx.com. Follow me on Twitter at @DavidJSong.

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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.