FxWirePro: NZD/USD eases following mixed bag of labour data, faces resistance at 200-DMA
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 7:34 AM UTC
- The New Zealand dollar eased, reversing some of its previous session gains following a mixed bag of labour data released earlier in the day.
- New Zealand's unemployment rate fell in the final quarter of 2019 but jobs growth softened, cementing a view the central bank will stand pat on rates next week.
- The unemployment rate in the fourth quarter declined to 4.0 percent from a downwardly revised 4.1 percent in the previous quarter, while jobs growth was flat, compared to forecasts for an unemployment rate of 4.2 percent and jobs growth of 0.3 percent.
- The participation rate fell to 70.1 percent, its lowest since June 2017, while private-sector wages increased 0.6 percent over the previous quarter, with annual growth accelerating to 2.4 percent.
- On Tuesday, the major plunged to a 2-month trough but retraced to close 0.4 percent higher at 0.6489.
- The Kiwi was trading 0.1 percent down at 0.6480, having hit a low 0.6449 in the previous session, its lowest since December 2.
- Technical indicators are bearish: RSI weak at 34.05, MACD supports downside and Stochs are at oversold levels.
- Immediate resistance is located at 0.6505 (200-DMA), a break above could take it near 0.6532 (10-DMA).
- On the downside, support is seen at 0.6465, a break below could drag it till 0.6449.