The New Zealand dollar rose to around $0.576, hovering near a two-week high, supported by renewed optimism over US-China trade talks that could ease risks to the export-reliant economy. US and Chinese negotiators agreed on key issues over the weekend, while Treasury Secretary Bessent said Trump’s 100% tariff threat is “off the table,” ahead of talks between the two presidents. Still, the antipodean currency remained pressured by expectations of further monetary easing by the Reserve Bank. Headline inflation hit a one-year high in Q3 last week, but the RBNZ’s preferred gauge remained at its lowest since early 2021, signaling subdued price pressures. The data aligns with the central bank’s outlook, with traders fully pricing in a 25bps rate cut in November and slim odds of a larger move. The currency is heading for its fourth straight monthly decline.
