Investing.com - The New Zealand dollar jumped more than 1% against its U.S. counterpart on Friday, as traders readjusted their expectations on how soon and how quickly the Federal Reserve might raise interest rates.
NZD/USD hit 0.6638 on Friday, the pair's strongest level since July 31, before subsequently consolidating at 0.6638 by close of trade, up 1.31% for the day.
On the week, the pair inched up 0.46%, the third straight weekly gain.
The Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 215,000 jobs last month, slightly lower than forecasts for an increase of 223,000, but still consistent with strong employment growth.
The unemployment rate remained unchanged at a seven-year low of 5.3%, in line with expectations.
Hourly earnings, a component of the jobs report that the Federal Reserve has said must rise, ticked up 0.2%, also matching forecasts after stalling in the previous month.
The data did little to alter expectations for a September rate increase by the Federal Reserve, but it tempered speculation for multiple rate hikes before the end of the year.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, eased to 97.66, after touching three-month highs of 98.42 earlier. The index ended the week with gains of 0.18%.
The greenback has been boosted recently by expectations that the improving U.S. economy will prompt the Federal Reserve to raise short term interest rates as early as September.
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, data on Wednesday showed that the number of employed people rose by 0.3% in the second quarter, disappointing expectations for a 0.5% gain.
The report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up to 5.9% in the last quarter from 5.8% in the first quarter of 2015, in line with expectations.
In the week ahead, investors will be looking to Thursday’s U.S. retail sales data for a further indication on the durability of the economic recovery. Speeches by Fed officials on Monday will also be in focus.
Traders are also awaiting a raft of Chinese economic data in the coming week, including reports on industrial production, fixed asset investment and retail sales.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, August 10
Federal Reserve Governor Stanley Fischer and Atlanta Fed President Dennis Lockhart are to speak; their comments will be closely watched.
Tuesday, August 11
The U.S. is to release preliminary data on unit labor costs.
Wednesday, August 12
China is to publish data on industrial production and fixed asset investment.
Thursday, August 13
The U.S. is to produce data on retail sales, initial jobless claims and import prices.
Friday, August 14
New Zealand is to produce data on retail sales.
The U.S. is to release data on producer prices, industrial production and consumer sentiment to round up the week.