sign up log in
Want to go ad-free? Find out how, here.

A cautious start to the week following soft China economic data. Commodity currencies underperform; US 10-year rate nudges lower. NZD holds head above 0.70

Currencies
A cautious start to the week following soft China economic data. Commodity currencies underperform; US 10-year rate nudges lower. NZD holds head above 0.70

Markets have kicked off the new week on a cautious note, following weaker economic data in China amidst linger concerns about the spread of the delta variant of COVID19. Equity markets are mostly weaker, the US 10-year rate is down 2bps, oil prices are lower and commodity currencies have underperformed. Throughout, the NZD has managed to keep its head above 0.70.

Monthly China activity data for July on retail sales, industrial production and investment were universally weaker than expected, not helped by the spread of the delta variant of COVID19, which has seen renewed lockdowns across various regions, flooding in central China and the global chip shortage. The data follows weaker indicators across South-East Asia and the plunge in US consumer sentiment on Friday, adding to the picture that the global economic recovery has lost some significant momentum.

Near-term growth headwinds are likely to continue, with the spread of the delta strain still evident across a large part of the world. Furthermore, reports of supply chain blockages are increasing, as factories in South East Asia, notably Vietnam, struggle to maintain production. The partial shutdown of the world’s third busiest port in Ningbo-Zhoushan after a COVID outbreak has added to global shipping difficulties.

Overnight, a much weaker Empire manufacturing survey in the US added to the cautious backdrop. The drop in the NY region manufacturing index in August was significant, but it followed an inexplicable rise the previous month so not too much should be read into the survey and, indeed, the survey is usually ignored by the market.

On a slightly more positive note, Japan avoided a double-dip recession, showing growth of 0.3% q/q in Q2. However, the spread of the delta variant remains a significant hurdle to further progress. Tokyo’s Governor warned that the situation in the city was at “disaster level”, with new daily cases rising to a record high of 5773, quadrupling in three weeks.

The softer economic backdrop has seen slightly lower risk appetite to kick off the week. Global equity markets are mostly weaker. Off its record close on Friday, the S&P500 fell as much as 0.7% early in the session, although has steadily recovered since and as we go to print has pushed into positive territory. The Nasdaq index is currently down 0.4%.

The US 10-year Treasury yield has traded a 1.22-1.28%, and is currently down 2bps for the day at 1.25%. The WSJ has published an article on “Fed Officials Weigh Ending Asset Purchases by Mid-2022”, arguing that a faster taper would allow flexibility to raise interest rates sooner than currently anticipated if the economy makes rapid progress towards the Fed’s goals. The report argues that the economy is in a very different position to the previous taper cycle in 2014. The market looks to have ignored the report, as it simply compiles quotes from a range of Fed Presidents, none of which are the heavy hitters.

Reflecting the cautious economic backdrop, oil prices are down 1-1½%, copper prices are down 1½% and commodity currencies have underperformed. The NZD, AUD and CAD are all down 0.4-0.5%. Of that lot, only the NZD doesn’t have any domestic headwinds, with further lockdowns across Australia not helping the AUD and the weekend announcement of a snap election in Canada called by Prime Minister Trudeau two years ahead of schedule adding some uncertainty around the CAD.

The NZD has trended lower since the open yesterday, and currently trades only slightly above its low for the day just over 0.7010. The AUD found some support around 0.7320. NZD/AUD made a fresh eight-month high just over 0.9590, before retreating to 0.9560.  Last month we revised our central projection for the cross to 0.96 over coming months, consistent with the new higher trading range possibly extending up to as high as 0.98. For that to happen, we’ll first need to break the 0.96 resistance level, which was the peak back in December.

The outperformance of safe-havens, sees USD/JPY down 0.3% to 109.20 and NZD/JPY down 0.7% to 76.6. EUR and GBP are slightly lower against the USD.

The domestic bond market saw a flattening bias yesterday, with longer term rates dragged down by global forces, while short-dated rates were higher as the RBNZ looks to kick off a tightening cycle this week. Against the backdrop of softer global data, NZ’s performance of services index showed the service sector continuing to expand at a rapid pace, underpinned by strong demand. The 10-year NZGB fell by 2bps to 1.71%. The swaps market showed a rise of 2-3bps across the curve, with the 10-year rate hitting the 2% mark.

On the economic calendar the key release ahead is US retail sales, expected to be on the soft side, while expect to see some soundbites from Fed Chair Powell as he hosts a town hall discussion with educators.

Daily exchange rates

Select chart tabs

Daily benchmark rate
Source: RBNZ
Daily benchmark rate
Source: RBNZ
Daily benchmark rate
Source: RBNZ
Daily benchmark rate
Source: RBNZ
Daily benchmark rate
Source: RBNZ
Daily benchmark rate
Source: RBNZ
Daily benchmark rate
Source: RBNZ
End of day UTC
Source: CoinDesk

We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.

Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.