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Jason Wong

About

Jason Wong is BNZ’s currency strategist, producing analysis that informs the NZD view. He is also a part of National Australia Bank’s (NAB) Global FX Strategy team, which covers currency markets more broadly, with a focus on the G10 currencies.

Member for

9 years 3 months

Latest articles

US consumer sentiment falls to historical lows, inflation expectations shoot higher. Trump's tax bill fails early in the process, a rare event. Moody's downgrades US credit rating. NZ inflation expectations rise; domestic rates market underperforms
19th May 25, 7:24am
US consumer sentiment falls to historical lows, inflation expectations shoot higher. Trump's tax bill fails early in the process, a rare event. Moody's downgrades US credit rating. NZ inflation expectations rise; domestic rates market underperforms
In a heavy US data release day, activity and pricing indicators were weak, driving down US rates and supported US equities. The NZD and AUD underperform again
16th May 25, 7:53am
In a heavy US data release day, activity and pricing indicators were weak, driving down US rates and supported US equities. The NZD and AUD underperform again
US Treasury yields push higher as focus turns to the US fiscal outlook. US equities 'consolidate'. Despite talk, currency markets little-changed
15th May 25, 7:37am
US Treasury yields push higher as focus turns to the US fiscal outlook. US equities 'consolidate'. Despite talk, currency markets little-changed
US CPI report softer than expected, but rates market largely ignores it, with a focus on tariffs lifting future inflation; US Treasury yields push higher, with 10-year rate hitting 4.5%
14th May 25, 7:49am
US CPI report softer than expected, but rates market largely ignores it, with a focus on tariffs lifting future inflation; US Treasury yields push higher, with 10-year rate hitting 4.5%
Significant de-escalation of the US-China trade war a better outcome than expected. Equity markets have soared. Global rates are much higher, USD rises strongly
13th May 25, 7:40am
Significant de-escalation of the US-China trade war a better outcome than expected. Equity markets have soared. Global rates are much higher, USD rises strongly
Risk sentiment is higher on trade war de-escalation with a US and UK trade “framework”. US equities are up over 1% and Treasury yields are up 10-13bps. Hopes for trade deals have supported the USD across the board
9th May 25, 7:45am
Risk sentiment is higher on trade war de-escalation with a US and UK trade “framework”. US equities are up over 1% and Treasury yields are up 10-13bps. Hopes for trade deals have supported the USD across the board
US equities are lower, US Treasury yields are lower, and the USD is broadly weaker, with the market remaining fixated on tariffs and the impact for the US economy. Strong GDT dairy auction and oil prices rebound 3%
7th May 25, 7:49am
US equities are lower, US Treasury yields are lower, and the USD is broadly weaker, with the market remaining fixated on tariffs and the impact for the US economy. Strong GDT dairy auction and oil prices rebound 3%
Taiwan dollar surges again, driven by speculation on trade deals. US-Japan trade negotiations not looking good for Japan so far. Stronger than expected ISM survey assuages fear of US economic recession
6th May 25, 7:40am
Taiwan dollar surges again, driven by speculation on trade deals. US-Japan trade negotiations not looking good for Japan so far. Stronger than expected ISM survey assuages fear of US economic recession
US equities higher after strong earnings reports from Microsoft and Meta; ISM PMI didn’t fall as much as expected, even if there are clear signs of cracks opening in the US economy. Chatter that the US is trying to initiate trade talks with China
2nd May 25, 7:43am
US equities higher after strong earnings reports from Microsoft and Meta; ISM PMI didn’t fall as much as expected, even if there are clear signs of cracks opening in the US economy. Chatter that the US is trying to initiate trade talks with China
US economic data awful - exploding trade deficit adds to Q1 GDP downside risk; weaker consumer confidence and drop in job openings. Some backdown on auto tariffs but China won't "kneel down" on trade war
30th Apr 25, 7:43am
US economic data awful - exploding trade deficit adds to Q1 GDP downside risk; weaker consumer confidence and drop in job openings. Some backdown on auto tariffs but China won't "kneel down" on trade war
China's foreign ministry confirms China and the US are NOT engaged in trade talks. Another poor Fed regional survey; plenty of media commentary on reduced China-US trade and prospect of empty US shelves ahead
29th Apr 25, 7:37am
China's foreign ministry confirms China and the US are NOT engaged in trade talks. Another poor Fed regional survey; plenty of media commentary on reduced China-US trade and prospect of empty US shelves ahead
Claim then denials on US tariff policy shifts. Softer European and US PMI data; US beige book shows early economic impact of tariffs. Equities rise, then fade. USD broadly stronger
24th Apr 25, 7:59am
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Claim then denials on US tariff policy shifts. Softer European and US PMI data; US beige book shows early economic impact of tariffs. Equities rise, then fade. USD broadly stronger
More positive mood music around trade and tariffs, with "significant progress" on a US-India trade deal and Bessent expecting de-escalating US-China trade tension. IMF slashes growth forecasts on the trade war
23rd Apr 25, 7:44am
More positive mood music around trade and tariffs, with "significant progress" on a US-India trade deal and Bessent expecting de-escalating US-China trade tension. IMF slashes growth forecasts on the trade war
Trump renews attack on Fed Chair Powell, reinvigorating the "Sell America" trade. US-Japan trade negotiations not going well. US assets trading more like a Banana republic. US longer-term rates increase and USD falls to fresh multi-year lows
22nd Apr 25, 7:28am
Trump renews attack on Fed Chair Powell, reinvigorating the "Sell America" trade. US-Japan trade negotiations not going well. US assets trading more like a Banana republic. US longer-term rates increase and USD falls to fresh multi-year lows
US equities under pressure again. US pressuring trading partners to limit their dealings with China; China open to trade talks under certain conditions. Bank of Canada on hold and ditches forecasts and guidance
17th Apr 25, 7:49am
US equities under pressure again. US pressuring trading partners to limit their dealings with China; China open to trade talks under certain conditions. Bank of Canada on hold and ditches forecasts and guidance
China stops ordering new Boeing aircraft and halt purchases of aircraft and parts from US companies. No progress on EU-US trade negotiations. But financial markets calmer
16th Apr 25, 7:56am
China stops ordering new Boeing aircraft and halt purchases of aircraft and parts from US companies. No progress on EU-US trade negotiations. But financial markets calmer
Trump considers windback of tariffs to help the auto sector, following the carve-out for some electronic goods from China. Calmer markets. US Treasuries reverse some of last week's movement. Global equities recover
15th Apr 25, 7:47am
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Trump considers windback of tariffs to help the auto sector, following the carve-out for some electronic goods from China. Calmer markets. US Treasuries reverse some of last week's movement. Global equities recover
Market focus on tariff negotiations with countries lined up; China is a notable exception and China said it will "fight to end". Markets remain choppy; Big early gain in US equities eroded
9th Apr 25, 7:51am
Market focus on tariff negotiations with countries lined up; China is a notable exception and China said it will "fight to end". Markets remain choppy; Big early gain in US equities eroded
Some wild market movements overnight; S&P500 trades a high/low range of 8.5%; EU working out how to retaliate. Bond markets sell off; UST 10-year rate trades above 4.2% overnight, curve steepens
8th Apr 25, 7:46am
Some wild market movements overnight; S&P500 trades a high/low range of 8.5%; EU working out how to retaliate. Bond markets sell off; UST 10-year rate trades above 4.2% overnight, curve steepens
Trump's reciprocal tariff policy was much worse than expected, rocking financial markets. Flight to quality as global equities plunge. Bonds well supported. Oil prices plunge on global growth concerns and OPEC+ production upscale
4th Apr 25, 7:57am
Trump's reciprocal tariff policy was much worse than expected, rocking financial markets. Flight to quality as global equities plunge. Bonds well supported. Oil prices plunge on global growth concerns and OPEC+ production upscale
Reports the US 'reciprocal tariffs' will come in three bands, differing by country and industry. Wall Street rises. US Treasury yields rise
3rd Apr 25, 7:47am
Reports the US 'reciprocal tariffs' will come in three bands, differing by country and industry. Wall Street rises. US Treasury yields rise
US tariff uncertainty weighs on global equity markets; some chunky falls across the world and US equities on track for their worst quarter in nearly three years. Oil prices higher after Trump mulls secondary tariffs for buyers of Russian crude
1st Apr 25, 7:49am
US tariff uncertainty weighs on global equity markets; some chunky falls across the world and US equities on track for their worst quarter in nearly three years. Oil prices higher after Trump mulls secondary tariffs for buyers of Russian crude
Progress in Russia-Ukraine peace deal. White House conflict on tariff basis. US Conference Board consumer confidence plunges, as per the University of Michigan survey
26th Mar 25, 7:51am
Progress in Russia-Ukraine peace deal. White House conflict on tariff basis. US Conference Board consumer confidence plunges, as per the University of Michigan survey
Risk appetite higher as market embraces view that 'Liberation Day' will see narrower scope of tariffs than previously thought. US services PMI stronger than expected, allaying recession fears. US Treasury yields up towards top of recent trading range
25th Mar 25, 7:48am
Risk appetite higher as market embraces view that 'Liberation Day' will see narrower scope of tariffs than previously thought. US services PMI stronger than expected, allaying recession fears. US Treasury yields up towards top of recent trading range
US equities slightly higher, US Treasuries in a tight trading range, USD slightly stronger. Nine more sleeps until "Liberation Day", when Trump's reciprocal tariffs take effect; speculation that they will be narrower than previously threatened
24th Mar 25, 7:22am
US equities slightly higher, US Treasuries in a tight trading range, USD slightly stronger. Nine more sleeps until "Liberation Day", when Trump's reciprocal tariffs take effect; speculation that they will be narrower than previously threatened