Forex - NZD/USD weekly outlook: October 24-28

Investing.com - The New Zealand dollar ended the week almost unchanged against its U.S. counterpart on Friday, as risk sentiment was boosted by renewed speculation that a solution to the debt crisis in the euro zone may be unveiled in the coming days.

NZD/USD hit 0.7859 on Tuesday, the pair's lowest since October 12; the pair subsequently consolidated at 0.8027 by close of trade on Friday, easing up 0.07% over the week.

The pair is likely to find support at 0.7859, last Tuesday's low and resistance at 0.8122, the high of June 28.

Risk appetite was boosted on Friday after German officials mentioned ways to involve the International Monetary Fund in a plan to enhance the euro zone's rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Facility.

European leaders continued talks over the weekend on a series of measures designed to recapitalize banks, to boost the powers of the EFSF and to restructure Greece's sovereign debt.

EU leaders were hoping that a definitive plan could be unveiled by the end of Sunday's summit or after an additional meeting scheduled on Wednesday.

Market sentiment was hit on Thursday following downbeat data on U.S. unemployment claims and existing home sales. The U.S. Department of Labor said that unemployment claims rose by 403,000 last week, exceeding expectations for a 401,000 increase. Meanwhile, the National Association of Realtors said that new home sales rose 4.91 million, below expectations for a 4.94 million increase.

But the risk-related kiwi remained supported after the U.S. Philly Fed manufacturing index soared unexpectedly to 8.7% in October, after a 17.5 drop the previous month.

Market sentiment was hit earlier in the week, after Moody's Investors Service downgraded Spain's credit rating for the third time since 2010, to A1 from Aa2, citing high levels of debt in the banking and corporate sectors.

Ahead of the coming week investors will be closely watching developments in the euro zone, amid hopes for a breakthrough on dealing with the deepening debt crisis in the region. Markets will also be eyeing Thursday’s U.S. data on third quarter economic growth in order to gauge the strength of the U.S. recovery. In addition, New Zealand is to announce its benchmark interest rate.

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

Monday, October 24

New Zealand is to release government data on consumer price inflation, which accounts for a majority of overall inflation.

Tuesday, October 25

The U.S. is to publish industry data on house price inflation as well as a report on consumer confidence, which is a leading indicator of consumer spending.

Wednesday, October 26

New Zealand is to produce a report on business confidence, a leading indicator of economic health. The country is also to publish official data on the trade balance. Later in the day, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand is to announce its benchmark interest rate; the announcement will be followed by the bank’s rate statement, which contains important insights into current economic conditions.

The U.S. is to release government data on durable goods orders, a leading indicator of production. The country is also to publish official data on new home sales and crude oil stockpiles.

In the euro zone, European Union leaders are to hold a one-day economic summit to discuss measures to stem the spreading debt crisis in the single-currency bloc.

Thursday, October 27

The U.S. is to publish preliminary data on third quarter gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic activity and the primary gauge of the economy's health, as well as the GDP price index, the broadest measure of inflation.

The country is also to publish its weekly data on initial jobless claims and an industry report on pending home sales.

Friday, October 28

The U.S. is to round up the week with a flurry of data on personal income, personal spending, employment costs and consumer prices.

Meanwhile, the University of Michigan is to publish revised data on consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.