Insights 
VT 
In September, New Zealand’s imports rose to $7.18 billion, up from the previous month’s figure of $7.12 billion. This change comes amid various global economic developments and financial market adjustments.
Recent US-China trade tensions and discussions around potential US Federal Reserve rate cuts have affected currency and commodity markets. The New Zealand Dollar has shown some gains, trading near 0.5750 against the USD as trade negotiations continue.
Gold Prices Near Record Highs
Elsewhere, the gold price is hovering around record highs, with concerns about US government credit risks and potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve having an impact. The precious metal’s price reached approximately $4,381 amid ongoing market uncertainties.
The UK has seen the launch of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin exchange-traded product on the London Stock Exchange. This launch provides UK retail traders with a new way to invest in Bitcoin amidst evolving market conditions and trade discussions.
Key economic questions remain open in the coming week, focusing on US-China trade resolutions and potential shifts in inflation data. These factors are anticipated to influence market movements and decisions in the near future.
With the US Dollar Index struggling near 98.50 and the Federal Reserve expected to be dovish, we see opportunities in selling dollar strength. The latest US inflation figures from September showed core CPI dipping to 2.8%, missing expectations and reinforcing the case for potential rate cuts before year-end. Traders should consider buying puts on the dollar index or using bearish option spreads on USD pairs to capitalize on this weakness.
Gold continues its push into record territory above $4,350, driven by persistent US-China trade friction and worries over a potential US government shutdown. World Gold Council data confirms this flight to safety, showing central banks added a record 350 tonnes to their reserves in the third quarter of 2025. We believe using call options on gold futures (GC) offers a way to maintain upside exposure while defining risk in this uncertain environment.
New Zealand and Australian Dollar Insights
The New Zealand dollar is showing strength, supported by rising imports which suggest resilient domestic demand. Similarly, the Australian dollar is finding support from the new critical minerals deal with the US, and we note Australia’s unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 4.1% last month. We see value in going long AUD/USD or NZD/USD, possibly through futures contracts, to play both commodity currency strength and broad US dollar weakness.
Broader market uncertainty is creating defensive positioning in equities, and we have seen the VIX volatility index climb from 14 to over 19 in just the past two weeks. Given the renewed US credit risks being discussed, buying put options on the S&P 500 or other major indices is a prudent strategy to hedge portfolios against a potential downturn. This provides downside protection for a relatively small premium.
The crypto space remains fundamentally strong, especially after BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETP launched in the UK, which has seen inflows averaging over £50 million per week. While long-term targets are ambitious, the recent consolidation of Bitcoin around the $150,000 level presents an opportunity for traders to use options. A long straddle could be an effective strategy to play the next significant price move, regardless of direction.
