How is the Kiwi dollar faring?

How is the Kiwi dollar faring? Investors have been watching the Australian dollar weaken since January, but they may not be aware that the currency of our near neighbour New Zealand has also been under pressure, with further weakening likely. The New Zealand dollar has fallen as the Fed continues to raise rates in the US and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) announced an unexpectedly dovish policy stance. In its August monetary statement, …

Is the Australian dollar headed for more downside?

Is the Australian dollar headed for more downside?   AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver says he expects the Australian dollar ($A) to weaken further – making unhedged offshore investments more attractive — as interest rates continue to rise in the US. However solid commodity prices should put a floor under falls. So far this year the $A has fallen from around US$0.80 to around US$0.72. “I think the likelihood is it’s got more downside,” …

What the rise of the $A means for global investors

What the rise of the $A means for global investors The recent rise of the Australian dollar has been surprising but not confounding for experts who believe the its natural level is closer to US70 cents. Indeed, it’s the weakness of the US dollar that’s pushed the Australian dollar higher relative to the benchmark currency in recent weeks even though US economic growth and a resurgent commodities segment had most market watchers expecting the Australian …

Sun shines on local holidays

  Sun shines on local holidays No matter how far and wide they roam, Aussies still love to call Australia home. Increasingly we are seeing this Great Southern Land as an attractive alternative to holidaying overseas. For a while, the lure of exotic destinations was enhanced by the Aussie dollar’s buying power as it soared against foreign currencies. Value for money That was then. From its high of US$1.10, the Aussie dollar has dipped below …