New Zealand Dollar surged sharply higher following RBNZ's unexpectedly hawkish rate decision. While OCR was left unchanged, the central bank signaled the increased possibility of another rate hike this year and delayed projected timing of the first rate cut to the second half of 2025. However, Kiwi quickly gave back some of its gains after RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr tempered expectations in his press conference. Orr emphasized that the OCR track is a only central projection, not a guaranteed outcome, and expressed satisfaction that inflation expectations are declining.
Sterling climbed broadly today after data showed that UK disinflation progress was slower than anticipated, with services inflation remaining persistently high. This development dashed hopes for an imminent rate cut by BoE, causing the odds of a rate cut in June to plummet from around 50% to below 20%. Despite this, the notable declines in both headline and core CPI keep the possibility of a rate cut at the BoE's August meeting alive.
Investors' focus over the coming week will be on the US central bank amid a continuing heavy calendar of Fed speakers, especially during the first half of the week.
Sterling and Euro rebound broadly today, bolstered by encouraging PMI data that suggests continued recovery momentum in both UK and Eurozone. For the Pound, the latest PMI readings indicate that UK's recovery from last year's recession is gathering pace. Meanwhile, rising cost pressures, particularly in the services sector, are heightening concerns about the sustainability of disinflation progress. These concerns are echoed by some BoE officials, who appear hesitant to consider interest rate cuts in the near future due to the persistent inflationary pressures.