{
  "id": 8182862,
  "title": "Australian dollar lifted by RBA hawks, kiwi belly flops",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/australian-dollar-lifted-by-rba-hawks-kiwi-belly-flops",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-18T05:49:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40440111/australian-dollar-lifted-by-rba-hawks-kiwi-belly-flops"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sydney, Australia saw the Australian dollar rise on Friday after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) expressed concerns about inflation and interest rates. Governor Michele Bullock appeared before lawmakers and emphasized the materialization of upside risks to inflation, hinting that the board was considering the tightness of policy to cope. Economists are now predicting that the RBA could hike the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.60% later this month and maintain it until the second half of next year. This positive news resulted in the Australian dollar climbing by 0.2% to $0.7126, having rebounded around 0.4% overnight from $0.7075. However, the Australian dollar still faced resistance around $0.7140 and $0.7187 and traded 0.6% lower for the week. The currency also benefited from a 1% increase in the yen to 111.78 after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates, though it was less hawkish than some speculators had anticipated.\n\nMeanwhile, New Zealand's currency, the kiwi dollar, had a less fortunate outcome. The RBNZ raised interest rates to 2.75%, but its projections for a tighter and less pronounced tightening cycle have left markets disappointed. Recent weaker-than-expected data, particularly for holiday accommodation prices, further undermined the kiwi dollar's prospects, as it lost 0.2% to $0.5717, marking its third week of losses. The currency found support at the 10-week low of $0.5705 and resistance at $0.5762. Trading a full 1% higher this week, the kiwi dollar is now at NZ$1.2446, a level not seen since early 2013. However, it is on a downward trend, with the kiwi dollar losing 1.6% over the past week. The slide in the kiwi dollar has been attributed to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's unexpected rate increase and their projected slower and more restrained tightening cycle. Markets suggest a 60% chance of an interest rate hike at the RBNZ's next meeting on October 28, which is politically sensitive as it falls just before a national election.",
  "summary": "SYDNEY: The Australian dollar bounced on Friday after the country’s central bank again sounded hawkish on inflation and interest rates, while its New Zealand counterpart seemed set for a fourth straight week of losses. Appearing before lawmakers, Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock emphasised that upside risks to inflation were materialising and the board was considering whether…",
  "key_points": [
    "RBA Governor Michele Bullock warns of inflation risks",
    "RBA may hike cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.60%",
    "Kiwi dollar declines after RBNZ rate hike and weaker data"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Reserve Bank of Australia's inflation concerns and potential interest rate hike have boosted the Australian dollar, while the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's restrained tightening cycle has weighed on the kiwi dollar.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}