Page 5 - Bryan Downes News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

New Zealand employment data for Q1 showcased a 0.8% qoq increase, surpassing expectation of 0.4% qoq growth. Unemployment rate remained steady at 3.4%, defying expectations of rise to 3.5% and staying close to record low of 3.2% made in Q1 2022. Additionally, employment rate climbed from 69.3% to 69.5%, while labor force participation rate rose from 71.8% to 72.0%. Both employment and participation rates reached their highest levels since records began in 1986.

Dollar weakens broadly in today's Asian session as markets await what could be the last Fed rate hike in the current cycle. Risk sentiment is on the downside, with stock selloff carrying over from the US to Asia. Despite this, the greenback sees no apparent support. Conversely, Yen benefits from cautious sentiment a decline in benchmark treasury yields. Oversold condition is also helping the Japanese currency slightly.

Dollar remains weak in early US session, despite strong ADP job data, seeing only modest gains the Australian and Canadian Dollars. However, the selloff remains contained, even against strong Yen and Swiss Franc. Traders are evidently holding their bets as they await FOMC rate decision. A 25bps hike to 5.00-5.25% is widely anticipated, and it is unlikely to surprise the market. The primary question is whether Chair Jerome Powell will explicitly indicate a pause following today's move.

New Zealand's jobless rate remains near historic lows at 3.4 per cent, with more women than ever in...

New Zealand's jobless rate remains near historic lows at 3.4 per cent, with more women than ever in...