Forex - NZD/USD weekly outlook: December 23 - 27

Investing.com - The New Zealand edged modestly higher against its U.S. counterpart on Friday, but gains were limited after the Federal Reserve said it will begin reducing its stimulus program next month.

NZD/USD fell to 0.8149 on Friday, the pair’s lowest since December 6, before subsequently consolidating at 0.8200 by close of trade, up 0.1% for the day but 1.01% lower for the week.

The pair is likely to find support at 0.8149, Friday’s low and resistance at 0.8288, the high from December 18.

Demand for the greenback remained supported after the Fed said Wednesday that it would reduce its USD85 billion-a-month bond buying program by USD10 billion in January, amid indications of an improving U.S. economy.

The U.S. central bank reiterated that interest rates are likely to remain low even after the unemployment rate drops below 6.5%, the threshold at which the Fed has previously said it would start to consider rate increases.

On Friday, the Commerce Department said that the U.S. economy expanded by 4.1% in the third quarter, well above initial estimates for 3.6% growth, adding to signs that the economic recovery is deepening.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand, official data released Thursday showed that the country’s gross domestic product rose 1.4% in the third quarter, beating expectations for a 1.1% expansion, after an upwardly revised 0.3% increase in the three months to June.

In the week ahead, the U.S. is to release key reports on durable goods orders, new home sales and jobless claims.

Trading volumes are expected to remain light due to the Christmas holiday and as many traders already closed books before the end of the year, reducing liquidity in the market and increasing the volatility.

Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.

Monday, December 23

The U.S. is to produce government data on personal spending and expenditure, while the University of Michigan is to release revised data on consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.

Tuesday, December 24

The U.S. is to release data on durable goods orders, a leading indicator of production, as well as a report on new home sales.

Wednesday, December 25

Markets in New Zealand and the U.S. will remain closed for the Christmas Day holiday.

Thursday, December 26

Markets in New Zealand will remain closed in observance of Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is to release weekly data on initial jobless claims.

Friday, December 27

The U.S. is to round up the week with a report on crude oil supplies.