NZD

• Softer USD. Firmer JPY & positive rhetoric about a possible US-China trade deal weigh on the USD. AUD & NZD up at pre-Christmas levels.• US consumer. Update from Walmart raised concerns about the health of the US consumer. Household spending is the engine room of the US economy.• AU jobs. Another positive jobs report. Employment stronger than expected. Data supports the RBA’s ‘hawkish’ guidance about future rate cuts. Global Trends Economic data didn’t move the needle overnight, rather concerns about the health of the US consumer via an update from bellwether stock Walmart and hopes of a trade deal...

• Holding. Despite some swings in other asset classes net moves in FX have been modest. JPY outperformed. AUD still hovering near the top of its range.• RBNZ cuts. Another 50bp rate cut by the RBNZ yesterday. More easing is projected. This contrasts the RBA. We expect AUD to outperform the NZD.• AU jobs. Labour force data due today. Another solid set of figures anticipated. If realised, this will support the RBA’s ‘hawkish’ guidance about more rate cuts. Global Trends Mixed fortunes across asset markets overnight as geopolitical and economic news pushed and pulled on sentiment, especially in Europe. In...