NZD/USD is lower on the session, dragging AUD/USD down with it (though not to the same extent, AUD/NZD is higher) after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand cut its cash rate target to 4.75%, down from 5.25%. This was a widely expected move from the Bank. Curiously the Bank did not offer up much in the way of explicit guidance for what is to come. I don't think saying another rate cut, likely 50bp again, is a very strong probability at the next meeting, on November 27 is going too far out on a limb, especially given the first meeting for 2025 is nearly three months later on February 19.

We had speakers from the US Federal Reserve, Boston’s Collins and Vice Chair Jefferson. Both conveyed the message that while supporting the 50bp rate cut last month the November cut will not be of the same magnitude. More in the points above from boht of them. Plenty more, quite verbose they were.

A former Bank of Japan official, one-time executive director in charge of monetary policy Eiji Maeda, said the BOJ is likely to hike rates again in January, that PM Isheba will not stand in the way.

Apart from that NZD drop major FX was relatively range bound. It seems Asian traders are happy to await the US CPI report on Thursday now.

Except for Chinese equities, which got slammed lower again today.

Shanghai Composite wrap chart 09 October 2024 2