NZD/USD is Running Away With a One Point Gain in Inflation

Last night towards the end of the US session, the consumer price index (CPI) report from New Zealand was published. This report from the Statistics Office New Zealand was for Q4 2018 and inflation was expected to fall flat at 0.0% in the fourth quarter after a 0.9% jump in Q3, while the year-on-year inflation was expected at 1.8%.

A couple of hours later, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand also released its inflation report. I missed that report last night, but I see that the NZD is higher against all majors this morning, with NZD/USD nearly 100 pips up. This suggests that the CPI inflation report last night must have been pretty impressive, right?

Well, it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t anything to get too excited about either. The Q4 inflation came at 0.1% against 0.0% expected, while the YoY CPI remained the same as previously at 1.9%, against 1.8% expected. Then, the inflation report from the RBNZ showed core inflation at 1.7% as previous.

So, no change in the annualized CPI figures and only a 0.1% increase in inflation for Q4 of 2018. Yet, the NZD is nearly 100 pips higher this morning and it has dragged the Aussie higher with it. I suppose the market was preparing to see some weak numbers last night, so this is just a relief rally.

Although, nothing has changed overall fundamentally. The economy remains where it was as well as inflation, while the trade tensions between the US and China are still far from over, with the Huawei case likely to complicate things further. Therefore this surge in NZD/USD might be a good opportunity to look for a place to sell, although we will let this pair run its course before getting in on the short side.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More

Skerdian Meta

Lead Analyst

Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst. Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.

Related Articles

Gold Price Weekly Forecast: Will XAU/USD Break $3,370 as US Jobs, GDP Loom?

2 days ago

Save

AUD/USD Rises on Tariff Talks—Triangle Squeeze Looms

3 days ago

Save

USOIL Breakout? WTI Crude Oil Eyes $64.80 Resistance

3 days ago

Save

Comments

0 0 votes

Article Rating

Subscribe

Login

Notify of

new follow-up commentsnew replies to my comments

Please login to comment

0 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments