NZD Extends Gains In Asia-Pac Morning, Early Voting In NZ Starts Tomorrow

NZD/USD ground higher on Thursday, re-testing its 50-DMA, as safe haven currencies went offered despite apparent lack of progress in U.S. fiscal talks. The rate extended its bullish run to five consecutive sessions.

• Topside momentum has carried over into today's Asia-Pac session, with the pair adding 15 pips so far. It last sits at $0.6651, with bulls targeting Sep 18 high of $0.6798, a key near-term resistance. Bears need a fall through the 100-DMA/Sep 24 low at $0.6534/12 before taking aim at Aug 20 low of $0.6489.
• The deterioration in NZ ANZ Consumer Confidence virtually ground to a halt in August, with headline index edging to 100.0 from 100.2.
• Early voting in New Zealand's general election starts on Saturday and party leaders will intensify their attempts to sway voters, as we enter the final straight of the campaign. PM Ardern is in Auckland and reportedly will make a major policy announcement, while National leader Collins headed to Rotorua.
• NZ FinMin Robertson spoke with RNZ this morning, noting that the gov't's priority is supporting workers to stay in their jobs and promised another wage subsidy if the country goes back into alert level 3.
• Next week's highlights in NZ include flash ANZ Business Confidence, due Thursday.