Fed minutes confirm half-point hike expectations for next 2 meetings, another round of soft US data, RBNZ hikes again, bitcoin stuck below USD 30k

US stocks edged higher as investors anticipate a quickly weakening economy will force the Fed into tapping the breaks with their tightening cycle. ​ The FOMC minutes are over three weeks old, but they did give a glimmer of hope that they could adjust their policy tightening stance later in the year. ​ The Fed mostly sees 50 basis point increases appropriate at the next couple of meetings as they are behind the curve with fighting inflation. ​ The Fed is optimistic about the economy, but they are growing concerned with markets for Treasuries and commodities. ​ ​ ​

US Data

The headline durable goods reading for April came in softer-than-expected and the prior month was revised sharply lower. Supply chain woes continue to trouble factories, but business investment remains intact. ​ Capital goods shipments rose more than expected which should point to stronger growth later this quarter.

Another economic data release that confirms the economy is weakening, but still not enough to change the Fed’s rate tightening path over the next couple of policy meetings. ​ ​

RBNZ remains aggressive

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is taking inflation very seriously and continuing with an aggressive tightening cycle despite a highly uncertain global economic environment. ​ The central bank delivered its fifth straight rate hike, with this one being the second consecutive 50 basis point increase.

The Official Cash Rate now stands at 2.00% and is poised to go much higher. ​ The statement noted, “It remains appropriate to continue to tighten monetary conditions at pace to maintain price stability and support maximum sustainable employment.”

The RBNZ is positioning itself nicely to have ammunition when the next downturn happens. ​ China’s economic difficulties are troubling and economic weakness could spillover the next quarter. ​ Inflation is at three-decade highs, but should be peaking soon, so the central bank knows now is the time to get these rate hikes in. ​ It will be much harder to tighten aggressively once domestic consumer confidence is sharply lower in a few months’ time. ​

Bitcoin

Bitcoin continues to follow the lead set by equities as confidence in cryptos wane. ​ Guggenheim Partners CIO Minerd, a well-known crypto sceptic delivered another bearish call that Bitcoin could fall to USD 8,000. ​ His skepticism is always expected but it does coincide when inflows into cryptos are at recent lows.

Bitcoin is struggling to advance above the USD 30,000 level and that will be a troubling sign if equities continue to stabilize. ​ If selling pressure resumes and the earlier lows made this month around USD 25,424 are breached, there isn’t much support until the USD 20,000 level. ​ ​ ​ ​

Content is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please access the RSS feed or contact us at info@marketpulse.com. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2023 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.