WELLINGTON, June 24 (Reuters) - The New Zealand dollar was
near a five week high on Thursday, as the U.S. Federal Reserve
pledged to keep rates low, while the Aussie's gains were limited
as the Prime Minister faces a leadership challenge.
* The kiwi was about $0.7128/31 in early trade, just below its high of $0.7161, its best since May 13. New Zealand investors looking to first quarter GDP figures due on Thursday, with expectations for growth of 0.6 percent in the three months to March.
* The kiwi was about a cent above its late local levels on Wednesday, and spiked to its high after the Fed left interest rates on hold, and reiterated its pledge to keep them low for an extended period.
* The Aussie was at $0.8734/38, compared with $0.8693 in late Wednesday trade, after trading in a $0.8664 to $0.8779 range.
* It spiked about half a cent to its session high after the Fed statement, which saw the U.S. dollar slide across the board, as the Fed was more dovish in its view on the U.S. economy.
* Aussie's gains limited by news late on Wednesday that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd would face a challenge to his leadership from deputy Julia Gillard.
* Rudd, whose popularity in the polls has been steadily sliding, is seen likely to lose the vote due at 2300 GMT, with the ruling Labor Party expected to pick Gillard to take it into an election later this year. For more see
* The Aussie/kiwi pair fell to a two-week low of NZ$1.2207 on the news.
* Aussie also weaker against the yen and the euro , while the kiwi firmed on both crosses .
* Support for the Aussie seen from $0.8650 with resistance at $0.88, while the kiwi is seen supported at $0.7050 with resistance at the high of $0.7161.
* NZ debt prices mixed, with longer-dated debt a touch firmer.
* Australian three-year bond futures rose 0.01 point to 95.160, while the 10-year bond contract gained 0.03 points to 94.680.
(Reporting by Adrian Bathgate in WELLINGTON) ((Australia/New Zealand bureaux; +61 2 9373 1800/+64 4 471 4234)) Keywords: MARKETS AUSTRALIA NEWZEALAND 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 kiwi was about $0.7128/31 in early trade, just below its high of $0.7161, its best since May 13. New Zealand investors looking to first quarter GDP figures due on Thursday, with expectations for growth of 0.6 percent in the three months to March.
* The kiwi was about a cent above its late local levels on Wednesday, and spiked to its high after the Fed left interest rates on hold, and reiterated its pledge to keep them low for an extended period.
* The Aussie was at $0.8734/38, compared with $0.8693 in late Wednesday trade, after trading in a $0.8664 to $0.8779 range.
* It spiked about half a cent to its session high after the Fed statement, which saw the U.S. dollar slide across the board, as the Fed was more dovish in its view on the U.S. economy.
* Aussie's gains limited by news late on Wednesday that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd would face a challenge to his leadership from deputy Julia Gillard.
* Rudd, whose popularity in the polls has been steadily sliding, is seen likely to lose the vote due at 2300 GMT, with the ruling Labor Party expected to pick Gillard to take it into an election later this year. For more see
* The Aussie/kiwi pair fell to a two-week low of NZ$1.2207 on the news.
* Aussie also weaker against the yen and the euro , while the kiwi firmed on both crosses .
* Support for the Aussie seen from $0.8650 with resistance at $0.88, while the kiwi is seen supported at $0.7050 with resistance at the high of $0.7161.
* NZ debt prices mixed, with longer-dated debt a touch firmer.
* Australian three-year bond futures rose 0.01 point to 95.160, while the 10-year bond contract gained 0.03 points to 94.680.
(Reporting by Adrian Bathgate in WELLINGTON) ((Australia/New Zealand bureaux; +61 2 9373 1800/+64 4 471 4234)) Keywords: MARKETS AUSTRALIA NEWZEALAND 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.