WELLINGTON/SYDNEY, Dec 13 (Reuters) - The Australian and New Zealand dollars were a touch softer on Monday after China reported a jump in inflation data that could raise pressure for the government to tighten policy further.
* The Aussie dollar around $0.9834 vs $0.9851 late in New York on Friday, with firm U.S. data providing support for U.S. Treasury yields and the greenback.
* Support for the Aussie seen around $0.9784, the 38.2 pct retracement of the November decline, with resistance pegged at $0.9900, Friday's session high.
* The kiwi is last at $0.7472, after ranging between $0.7452 and $0.7530 in offshore trade and late New York's trade around $0.7479. Support seen at $0.7435, the low on Dec. 8, with $0.7578 seen as first line of resistance.
* China's inflation soared past forecasts to a 28-month high in November and showed signs of spreading beyond food prices, putting pressure on the government to tighten policy to slow down its rapid economic growth.
* On Friday, China's central bank raised banks' reserve requirements for the third time in a month to mop up excess cash in the economy.
* China is a key trading partner for Australia and New Zealand and any slowdown could affect China's demand for goods from both counties.
* Concerns China would have to tighten policy to control inflation and cool its economy also weighed on commodities on Friday, with the CRB index easing 0.37 pct.
* Separately, stronger U.S. consumer confidence and exports supported the U.S. dollar while U.S. Treasury yields rose.
* Euro range-bound as a meeting of European Union leaders this week will likely heighten concerns about deepening divisions within the bloc over how to solve its debt crisis.
* The Aussie consolidates against the kiwi around NZ$1.3158, after a six-week high of NZ$1.3214 on Thursday, when surprisingly strong Australian jobs data stood in sharp contrast to dovish comments from NZ central bank.
* Australian three-year bond futures down 0.075 points to 94.775. The 10-year contract is 0.065 points lower at to 94.325.
* NZ government bond yields lower across the curve, bank bills mixed.
Keywords: MARKETS AUSTRALIA/FOREX (Australia/New Zealand bureaux)(+612 93731800/+644 4714234) 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 Aussie dollar around $0.9834 vs $0.9851 late in New York on Friday, with firm U.S. data providing support for U.S. Treasury yields and the greenback.
* Support for the Aussie seen around $0.9784, the 38.2 pct retracement of the November decline, with resistance pegged at $0.9900, Friday's session high.
* The kiwi is last at $0.7472, after ranging between $0.7452 and $0.7530 in offshore trade and late New York's trade around $0.7479. Support seen at $0.7435, the low on Dec. 8, with $0.7578 seen as first line of resistance.
* China's inflation soared past forecasts to a 28-month high in November and showed signs of spreading beyond food prices, putting pressure on the government to tighten policy to slow down its rapid economic growth.
* On Friday, China's central bank raised banks' reserve requirements for the third time in a month to mop up excess cash in the economy.
* China is a key trading partner for Australia and New Zealand and any slowdown could affect China's demand for goods from both counties.
* Concerns China would have to tighten policy to control inflation and cool its economy also weighed on commodities on Friday, with the CRB index easing 0.37 pct.
* Separately, stronger U.S. consumer confidence and exports supported the U.S. dollar while U.S. Treasury yields rose.
* Euro range-bound as a meeting of European Union leaders this week will likely heighten concerns about deepening divisions within the bloc over how to solve its debt crisis.
* The Aussie consolidates against the kiwi around NZ$1.3158, after a six-week high of NZ$1.3214 on Thursday, when surprisingly strong Australian jobs data stood in sharp contrast to dovish comments from NZ central bank.
* Australian three-year bond futures down 0.075 points to 94.775. The 10-year contract is 0.065 points lower at to 94.325.
* NZ government bond yields lower across the curve, bank bills mixed.
Keywords: MARKETS AUSTRALIA/FOREX (Australia/New Zealand bureaux)(+612 93731800/+644 4714234) 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.