New Zealand inflation data for Q1 (January – March) came in lower than the consensus expected and lower than in the previous quarter. The New Zealand dollar was marked lower on the release, NZD/USD dropping to around 0.6160 and its not much moved from there as I post.

Elsewhere across major-traded FX ranges have been very small indeed. USD/JPY popped above 134.90 but has since drifted back around 134.70 to be barely changed on the day.

Data flow was non-impactful otherwise. As was news flow.

We did have remarks from Federal Reserve officials, Goolsbee and Williams see bullets above). From the People’s Bank of China we had an as expected unchanged rate setting on 1- and 5-year Loan Prime Rates. The long-awaited review of the Reserve Bank of Australia was published with various recommendations but it barely nudged AUD.

Asian equity markets:

  • Japan’s Nikkei 225 +0.1%

  • China’s Shanghai Composite -0.6%

  • Hong Kong’s Hang Seng +0.1%

  • South Korea’s KOSPI -0.4%

  • Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 +0.01%

NZD/USD, 5 minute candles

nzd cpi New Zealand wrap 20 April 2023