NZD/USD Outlook: Kiwi Fails to Hold Above 0.6000 After RBNZ Decision, Bearish Pressure Increases
NZD/USD currency pair is in pressure, hovering close to a two-week low following the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) decision to leave interest rates unchanged, as had been largely anticipated. While there was an initial post-RBNZ jump, the Kiwi could not hold ground amid a firmer US Dollar, bolstered by fading Fed rate cut hopes and persisting trade tensions. Technically, the decline of the pair through important moving averages and bearish signals indicates downside potential. A breakdown of the support at 0.5970 may then expose greater losses to 0.5900, with the recovery meeting resistance around 0.6025 and 0.6060. KEY LOOKOUTS • A solid breakout below the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement level may signal further losses to 0.5900 and the June low of 0.5880. • A stronger US Dollar supported by lower Fed rate cut speculation and safe-haven demand during trade uncertainties continues to suppress the Kiwi. • Any near-term recovery attempts could be met with resistance at 0.6025 (50% Fibo) and 0.6060 (38.2% Fibo), with an important breakout level at 0.6120. • The market response to the RBNZ’s rate hold remains subdued; upcoming Kiwi direction could depend on global risk appetite and US economic signals. NZD/USD currency pair is trading under pressure at a two-week low, unable to sustain its short-lived post-RBNZ gains after the central bank opted to leave interest rates steady. A robust US Dollar, driven by weakening hopes of Fed rate cuts and ongoing trade tensions, remains overwhelmingly bearish on the Kiwi. Technically, a breakdown through the 100-period SMA and bearish momentum indicators point towards additional downside risk. Unless the pair takes out important resistance areas above 0.6025, it is at risk of further losses, particularly if it breaks decisively below the 0.5970 support area. NZD/USD is trading close to a two-week low after an inability to hold gains of the RBNZ rate decision. Bearish technical conditions and a stronger USD suggest further decline below the 0.6000 level. Important support is at 0.5970, with resistance capped at 0.6025. • Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s closely anticipated hold on rates provided minimal support to the Kiwi. • NZD/USD touched 0.6015 briefly but reversed sharply, indicating weak bullish conviction. • Lower Fed rate cut expectations and safe-haven flows into the USD are squeezing the NZD. • The pair declined below the 100-period SMA on the 4-hour chart, indicating a bearish trend. • A persistent break below this Fibonacci level may lead the way to 0.5935 and 0.5880. • Any rebound could short out at this level, followed by the 0.6060 and 0.6100 areas. • Market direction is dictated by global trade uncertainties and US policy worries. The NZD/USD currency pair continues to be burdened by wider macroeconomic forces, led by the continued strength of the US Dollar. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) left interest rates unchanged, as predicted, but the move did not give a confidence boost to investors in the Kiwi. The focus has instead turned to international events, particularly in the US, where trade policy issues and inflation expectations are directing currency flows. Since the US is holding its ground regarding tariffs and economic protectionism, the risk appetite of the market has been curbed, curtailing demand for risk-correlative assets such as the New Zealand Dollar. NZD/USD DAILY PRICE CHART SOURCE: TradingView The Federal Reserve’s cautious stance regarding interest rate cuts is also lending credence to the US Dollar’s support. Investors currently look for the Fed to hold off on any easing, keeping US yields sexy and firming up demand for the greenback. Furthermore, fear about global growth due to geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding trade talks continues to be the main theme in markets. This wider environment provides a challenging environment for the NZD to rally, despite calm local policy from the RBNZ. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS NZD/USD has crossed below the 100-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart, which indicates bearish momentum change. Oscillators on both the hourly and daily charts are moving in negative directions, signifying building lower pressure. The pair is now trading below the important psychological level of 0.6000, and a resistance break below the 61.8% Fibonacci level of around 0.5970 could signal a deeper bearish extension. Immediate support is at the 0.6025 level, with deeper levels of resistance at 0.6060 and 0.6100. Unless the pair recovers these levels, the technical bias is tilted in favor of sellers. FORECAST Should NZD/USD hold above the support area of 0.5970 and consolidate, a short-term recovery can be anticipated. The initial challenge for the bulls would be at the 0.6025 level, coinciding with the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the recent fall. A successful breach above this may direct the pair towards the 0.6060 area and possibly retest the 0.6100 level. Sustained buying momentum past this point may unlock the way towards the recent high at 0.6120, which can serve as a key resistance level for any such sustained bullish trend. Conversely, a failure to stay above 0.5970 may ignite new selling pressure, and the pair may be exposed to further losses. The next level of support comes in at 0.5935, and below that there is the psychologically relevant 0.5900 level. A breach below this might send NZD/USD towards the June monthly swing low of 0.5880. Based on prevailing market mood and technical indications, the downside looks more likely unless solid bullish momentum re-emerges.