Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
EU Approves €90 Billion Ukraine Aid as Frozen Russian Asset Plan Stalls 
Kevin Hassett Says Inflation Is Below Target, Backs Trump’s Call for Rate Cuts 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
New Zealand government bonds surged at the time of closing on the last trading day of the week Friday as investors covered previous short positions, following global uncertainties and fears of a trade war, sparked by steps taken by United States President Donald Trump.
At the time of closing, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, slumped 6-1/2 basis points to 2.96 percent, the yield on 20-year plunged 9 basis points to 3.47 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year closed 1 basis point higher at 1.97 percent.
There was much to digest overnight, with US president Trump signing executive orders on steel and aluminum tariffs to be effected on March 23 with Canada and Mexico exempted for the time being pending NAFTA renegotiations.
Meanwhile, the NZX 50 index closed 0.37 percent higher at 8,390.00, while at 06:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly NZD Strength Index remained highly bullish at 103.68 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex
FxWirePro launches Absolute Return Managed Program. For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/invest
