ATFX汇评：新西兰联储降息25基点，年内第六次降息

Core Viewpoint - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) announced a 25 basis point rate cut, bringing the official cash rate (OCR) down to 2.25%, in response to rising inflation and a weak labor market [1][3]. Monetary Policy - The RBNZ's decision to lower the OCR is influenced by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reaching 3% in Q3, which is at the upper limit of the official target range of 1%-3% [1]. - The RBNZ expects inflation to decline to around 2% by mid-2026, indicating a long-term outlook on inflation management [1]. - Since August 2024, the RBNZ has cut rates eight times, totaling a reduction of 300 basis points, which is significantly higher than the 150 basis points cut by the Federal Reserve [5]. Labor Market Insights - The labor market remains weak, with a rising unemployment rate that reached 5.3% in Q3, surpassing the 5% threshold for full employment [3]. - The RBNZ's rationale for the rate cut mirrors that of the Federal Reserve, focusing on the challenges within the labor market [3]. Interest Rate Context - The current cash rate of 2.25% is close to the neutral rate estimates of the Federal Reserve (2.5%-3.0%) and the European Central Bank (1.75%-2.25%), suggesting limited room for further significant rate adjustments [5]. - The RBNZ has not explicitly defined its neutral rate range, but the current rate is seen as supportive and stimulative for the economy [5]. Technical Analysis - The NZD/USD currency pair is in a medium-term bearish trend, with significant support levels identified around 0.5500, which has historically been a rebound point [7]. - The current market price of 0.5675 is close to this long-term support level, indicating potential for a significant rebound [7].