NZD/USD recovers its losses above 0.6100, US data eyed

• NZD/USD snaps a three-day losing streak, adding 0.28% for the day. 
• The Federal Reserve (Fed) will be in no rush to cut rates as the economy shows signs of resilience.
• China achieved GDP growth of 5.2% in Q4, compared to the 4.9% expansion in Q3, which was worse than the estimation.

The NZD/USD pair recovers its recent losses during the early Asian session on Thursday. The pair bounces off the multi-week lows of 0.6088 and rebounds above the 0.6100 mark. The upside of the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) might be limited as investors are concerned about a weak post-Covid recovery in China. NZD/USD currently trades around 0.6127, up 0.28% on the day. 

The US retail sales came in stronger than expected in December, which might convince the Federal Reserve (Fed) to delay the interest rate cuts. Retail sales rose 0.6% MoM last month from a 0.3% gain in November, beating the estimation of 0.4%, according to the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau. On Tuesday, Fed Governor Christopher Waller stated that the central bank will be able to lower the target range for the federal funds rate this year, but it should be lowered methodically and carefully.

On the Kiwi front, consumer confidence in China has been constrained by the challenges faced in the property sector and a low chance of additional stimulus measures from the Chinese authorities. China achieved GDP growth of 5.2% in the fourth quarter, compared to the 4.9% expansion in the third quarter, worse than the estimation of 5.3%. On a quarter basis, the Chinese GDP growth number expanded by 1.0% in Q4 versus 1.3% prior, in line with the expectation of 1.0%.

Looking ahead, market players will focus on US Housing Starts, Building Permits, weekly Initial Claims, and Philly Fed Manufacturing Index, due later on Thursday. On Friday, the US Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index. Next week, the New Zealand Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be due. Traders will take cues from the data and find opportunities around the NZD/USD pair.