Investing.com - The New Zealand dollar ended the week lower against the broadly stronger U.S. dollar on Friday, as hopes for a deal to avoid the U.S. fiscal cliff crisis ahead of the year-end deadline dimmed, weighing on demand for risk-sensitive assets.
hit 0.8154 on Wednesday, the pair’s lowest since November 23; the pair subsequently consolidated at 0.8195 by close of trade, 0.4% lower for the week.
The pair is likely to find support at 0.8154, Wednesday’s low and a five-week low and near-term resistance at 0.8225, Friday’s high.
Market sentiment remained under pressure as investors continued to monitor developments surrounding the fiscal cliff in the U.S., approximately USD600 billion in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts due to come into effect on January 1.
U.S. President Barack Obama met with congressional leaders at the White House Friday afternoon, but both sides failed to reach an agreement ahead of the looming year-end deadline.
The gathering included House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, both Republicans, as well as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, both Democrats.
The House of Representatives is due to return to Washington on Sunday. The Senate will be in Sunday as well to try to reach a last-ditch agreement.
Without a deal, the U.S. could fall back into recession and drag much of the world down with it.
Adding to the negative trade environment, Italy saw borrowing costs edge higher at an auction of five- and- ten-year government debt, amid uncertainty ahead of national elections in February.
Rome sold EUR3 billion of 10-year bonds at an average yield of 4.48%, up from 4.45% last month. The country also auctioned EUR2.87 billion of five-year debt at a yield of 3.26%, compared to 3.23% a month earlier.
Meanwhile, revised data showed that France’s economy grew by a meager 0.1% in the third quarter, down from an initial estimate for growth of 0.2%. The euro zone’s second largest economy shrank 0.1% in the second quarter, unchanged from the previous estimate.
In the week ahead trading volumes are expected to remain light, with many investors away for the New Year’s holiday.
Meanwhile, investors will be looking ahead to Friday’s highly anticipated data on U.S. nonfarm payrolls, as investors attempt to gauge the strength of the country’s economic recovery.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, December 31Markets in New Zealand will remain closed for New Year’s Eve.
Tuesday, January 1Markets in the U.S. and New Zealand will remain shut in observance of New Year’s Day.
Wednesday, January 2 The Institute of Supply Management is to produce a report on manufacturing growth in the U.S., a leading indicator of economic health.
Thursday, January 3The U.S. is to release a report on ADP nonfarm payrolls, as well as its weekly government report on initial jobless claims. In addition, the Federal Reserve is to publish the minutes of its most recent policy-setting meeting.
Friday, January 4The U.S. is to round up the week with official data on nonfarm payrolls, the foremost gauge of job creation, as well as data on the overall unemployment rate.
The country is also to release official data on factory orders, crude oil stockpiles and natural gas inventories. In addition, the ISM is to produce a report on service sector activity.
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