Australian dollar hits two-week peak before Fed rate verdict
SYDNEY, Sept 18 (Reuters) -The Australian dollar hit a two-week top on Wednesday due to wagers that the Federal Reserve could kick-start its easing cycle with a big move, although that is far from certain and those gains could easily evaporate.
The Aussie AUD=D3 climbed to as far as $0.6773, the highest since Sept. 3, although it is battling sellers at a key level of $0.6767 after three sessions of gains.
The kiwi dollar NZD=D3 rebounded 0.3% to $0.6202, having slipped 0.2% overnight. Support comes in at $0.6155 and $0.6107, with resistance at $0.6253 and $0.6298.
Both have benefitted from bets the Fed could cut rates by half a point on Wednesday, with futures pricing in a chance of 64% for such a move. That came despite strong retail sales data that failed to move the needle much on the size of the imminent rate cut. FEDWATCH
"The USD may receive a small, temporary bump if the FOMC delivers a 25bp cut," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. "The USD's reaction to a larger 50bp cut will depend on the FOMC's communication."
"A 50bp cut that scares markets about U.S. economic prospects could increase the USD because it is a safe haven currency. However, a 50bp cut that eases concerns about U.S. economic prospects could undermine the USD."
How big the Fed goes will have bearings on the interest rate path in Australia. Markets see scant prospect of a cut in the 4.35% cash rate at the Reserve Bank of Australia's meeting next Tuesday given policymakers have been sounding consistently hawkish. 0#RBAWATCH
However, analysts are tipping the monthly inflation report for August, due one day after the RBA decision, is likely to show headline inflation has slowed back to the target band of 2-3%. Both CBA and Westpac expect it to come in at 2.7% due to the government's electricity rebates.
In New Zealand, data showed the current account deficit widened in the second quarter by more than expected. That prompted Goldman Sachs to lower their estimate for gross domestic product, due on Thursday, to an annual drop of 0.5%.
That compared with analyst expectations for a decline of 0.4%, a reason that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand may cut aggressively and by 83 basis points by the end of the year.
Reporting by Stella Qiu; Editing by Jacqueline Wong
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