WELLINGTON, Sept 27 (Reuters) - The Australian dollar was
near a two-year high and the New Zealand dollar was also firm on
Monday, as a weak U.S. dollar and a rally in risk assets
propelled the Antipodean pair higher.
* Australian dollar poised at $0.96, just below its high of $0.9613, the best since July 2008 and about a cent above late Friday levels.
* The New Zealand dollar at about $0.7340, after retreating from an eight month high of $0.7418, like its Aussie neighbour gaining about a cent in the offshore session on Friday.
* The U.S. dollar finished last week down across the board, on fears the Federal Reserve would begin another round of quantitative easing, while strong data from Germany lifted the euro. For more see
* U.S. stocks rallied almost 2 percent on the back of strong business spending in September, while the volatility index which measures risk aversion fell 9 percent.
* The Aussie is seen likely to push on above $0.96, with a strong base of support at about $0.9550.
* Kiwi seen more likely to struggle, as lacklustre data reinforces expectations rates will remain on hold until early 2011. Kiwi seen trading between $0.73 and $0.74.
* The Aussie and kiwi were steady at 80.9 yen and 61.8 yen respectively, after a brief spike on Friday on rumours of intervention to lower the currency by Japanese policymakers.
* Aussie/kiwi cross hovering near recent highs at NZ$1.3072 , off a five-month high of NZ$1.3080 hit on Thursday.
* This week sees NZ trade, household debt, building and business sentiment data, while Australia has building approvals, job vacancies, private credit and the RBA's semi-annual assessment of the financial system.
* NZ debt weaker along the curve, tracking a fall in U.S. Treasuries as investors move funds from bonds to stocks.
* Australia's government debt also weaker, with three-year bond futures down 0.04 points to 95.08, and 10-year futures up 0.055 points to 94.865.
((Australia/New Zealand bureaux; +61 2 9373 1800/+644 471 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.
* Australian dollar poised at $0.96, just below its high of $0.9613, the best since July 2008 and about a cent above late Friday levels.
* The New Zealand dollar at about $0.7340, after retreating from an eight month high of $0.7418, like its Aussie neighbour gaining about a cent in the offshore session on Friday.
* The U.S. dollar finished last week down across the board, on fears the Federal Reserve would begin another round of quantitative easing, while strong data from Germany lifted the euro. For more see
* U.S. stocks rallied almost 2 percent on the back of strong business spending in September, while the volatility index which measures risk aversion fell 9 percent.
* The Aussie is seen likely to push on above $0.96, with a strong base of support at about $0.9550.
* Kiwi seen more likely to struggle, as lacklustre data reinforces expectations rates will remain on hold until early 2011. Kiwi seen trading between $0.73 and $0.74.
* The Aussie and kiwi were steady at 80.9 yen and 61.8 yen respectively, after a brief spike on Friday on rumours of intervention to lower the currency by Japanese policymakers.
* Aussie/kiwi cross hovering near recent highs at NZ$1.3072 , off a five-month high of NZ$1.3080 hit on Thursday.
* This week sees NZ trade, household debt, building and business sentiment data, while Australia has building approvals, job vacancies, private credit and the RBA's semi-annual assessment of the financial system.
* NZ debt weaker along the curve, tracking a fall in U.S. Treasuries as investors move funds from bonds to stocks.
* Australia's government debt also weaker, with three-year bond futures down 0.04 points to 95.08, and 10-year futures up 0.055 points to 94.865.
((Australia/New Zealand bureaux; +61 2 9373 1800/+644 471 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.