WELLINGTON, April 14 (Reuters) - The Australian and New Zealand dollars consolidated within recent ranges on Wednesday, as currency markets eyed significant events due later this week.
* The NZ dollar was a touch softer from late Tuesday trade at $0.7140, after striking a three-month high of $0.7195 on Monday. Support seen at $0.7090 with resistance at $0.7180.
* Australia dollar stronger at $0.9285, above late Tuesday levels but a cent away from Monday's five-month high of $0.9389. Next support is at $0.9220, with resistance around $0.9300.
* Greece passed its first borrowing test since the euro zone agreed on an aid package, with a successful auction of T-bills, however doubts persisted about the debt-laden country's credit risk.
* The euro lost initial gains made after the auction as traders remained wary over the medium-term outlook for the euro zone and the single currency. For more see
* The U.S. dollar traded a relatively lacklustre session as investors look ahead to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony to the Joint Economic Committee later on Wednesday.
* Stock markets were also sluggish, with Wall Street closing slightly higher as investors look ahead to earnings reports from bellwether companies due later this week. See
* Metal prices fell on profit-taking, while oil dipped on concerns about rising crude stockpiles in the United States.
* On the cross rate the kiwi drifted lower in offshore trade, before recouping some of its losses in a late rally to trade around NZ$1.3008/31.
* New Zealand investors will be looking to February retail sales due later on Wednesday, with a Reuters poll picking a flat reading.. Data on Tuesday showed electronic retail card sales posted their biggest rise in more than two years in March, after sluggish spending in early part of 2010.
* Australia has April consumer sentiment data due on Wednesday.
* Australian bonds weakened and New Zealand bonds firmed, as U.S. Treasuries gained on steady safe-haven demand.
* Three-year Australian futures eased 0.01 points to 94.63, and 10-year futures slipped 0.04 points to 94.165.
* NZ government bonds strengthened, with yields easing about two basis points. ((New Zealand/Australia bureaux; +64 4 471 4234/+61 2 9373 1800)) Keywords: MARKETS NEWZEALAND AUSTRALIA FOREX/BONDS (If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
* The NZ dollar was a touch softer from late Tuesday trade at $0.7140, after striking a three-month high of $0.7195 on Monday. Support seen at $0.7090 with resistance at $0.7180.
* Australia dollar stronger at $0.9285, above late Tuesday levels but a cent away from Monday's five-month high of $0.9389. Next support is at $0.9220, with resistance around $0.9300.
* Greece passed its first borrowing test since the euro zone agreed on an aid package, with a successful auction of T-bills, however doubts persisted about the debt-laden country's credit risk.
* The euro lost initial gains made after the auction as traders remained wary over the medium-term outlook for the euro zone and the single currency. For more see
* The U.S. dollar traded a relatively lacklustre session as investors look ahead to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony to the Joint Economic Committee later on Wednesday.
* Stock markets were also sluggish, with Wall Street closing slightly higher as investors look ahead to earnings reports from bellwether companies due later this week. See
* Metal prices fell on profit-taking, while oil dipped on concerns about rising crude stockpiles in the United States.
* On the cross rate the kiwi drifted lower in offshore trade, before recouping some of its losses in a late rally to trade around NZ$1.3008/31.
* New Zealand investors will be looking to February retail sales due later on Wednesday, with a Reuters poll picking a flat reading.. Data on Tuesday showed electronic retail card sales posted their biggest rise in more than two years in March, after sluggish spending in early part of 2010.
* Australia has April consumer sentiment data due on Wednesday.
* Australian bonds weakened and New Zealand bonds firmed, as U.S. Treasuries gained on steady safe-haven demand.
* Three-year Australian futures eased 0.01 points to 94.63, and 10-year futures slipped 0.04 points to 94.165.
* NZ government bonds strengthened, with yields easing about two basis points. ((New Zealand/Australia bureaux; +64 4 471 4234/+61 2 9373 1800)) Keywords: MARKETS NEWZEALAND AUSTRALIA FOREX/BONDS (If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.