Brazil's Q1 GDP In Focus, NZD Under Pressure

 | May 29, 2015 08:23AM ET

Forex News and Events

Today, Brazil’s Q1 GDP release will be in focus ahead of a busy week as the Copom will announce monetary decision next Wednesday. On the data front, May’s Manufacturing PMI and Trade Balance are due Monday; April’s industrial production on Tuesday while May’s Services PMI will be released on Wednesday.

The world’s seventh biggest economy is expected to have contracted -1.8%y/y during the first three months of 2015 after having shrunk -0.2% in Q4 2014 (the last time we saw a positive figure was in Q1 2014) and we anticipate that it won’t be the last contraction of the year. Growth is expected to make its big comeback in the middle of 2016. At the moment, Brazil is therefore in a tough spot; however recent key austerity packages have been approved this week. The Senate approved measures that reduce pensions and labour benefits, which are expected to save about BRL 5bn a year. It will therefore help to balance budget while restoring confidence in President Dilma Rousseff’s government.

Initially we anticipated the BCB to increase the Selic rate by 25bps to 13.50% at the next policy meeting on June 2 and 3, as data indicate a slight deceleration in elevated inflation while downside surprises on the economic front point toward a more severe economic contraction. However, recent hawkish comments by central bank’s deputy-governor Luiz Awazu Pereira indicate that the BCB is committed to maintain the actual pace of tightening, by saying that the Copom will continue to remain “vigilant”. The wording therefore suggests that a rate hike of 50bps to 1.75% at the next meeting is more likely.

The BRL weakened against the USD and tested the resistance at 3.19/20 yesterday before stabilising around 3.16. During the next few days, political factors will keep pressuring the BRL and we therefore expect further weakness in the short term.

Concerns on New Zealand’s data (by Yann Quelenn)

Building permits came in last night at a disappointing -1.7% m/m with a prior figure of 11%. In the same time the ANZ activity outlook, a survey of business opinion, dropped to a two-year-low. Only 15.7% of respondents expect New Zealand economy to improve. It has to be compared with last month survey with 30.2% of positive opinion. Business confidence is slowing down as economy falls.

New Zealand inflation’s expectations for this year fell to 1.62%. 1.76% was the previous estimate. Though, inflation is still on the Reserve Bank’s target band of 1 to 3%. Outside of this range, the official cash rate at 3.5% is subject to be lowered. Furthermore, softer economic data would push the reserve bank to stimulate the economy. Nonetheless, there is still room for the reserve bank to act.

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NZD has weakened against the greenback for the last six months and is now trading at around 1.4046. However, recent major moves are mainly due to the US. Yet, confirmation of New Zealand’s difficulties will push the pair higher.