The New Zealand dollar closed sharply lower today, after a short-lived spurt above US67c.
The kiwi was buying US66.62c by 5pm, well down on its US67.20c local open, and last night's close of US66.89c.
It also slipped against the other major crosses, buying A90.26 (A90.39c at 8.30am), 55.85 euros (56.15) and 78.93 yen (79.27).
Currency dealers said the kiwi was sold off by US hedge funds in thin trading.
With little local economic data due out this week, the kiwi was prey to broader market movements.
The US dollar hugged well-worn ranges today as the market awaited direction from the minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting and from US consumer price data.
For clues about the central bank's thinking, the market was expected to scrutinise minutes of the January 31 Federal Open Market Committee meeting, due at 7am NZT.
US interest rates were expected to rise at the Federal Reserve's meeting in March and probably again in May after upbeat testimony from new Fed chairman Ben Bernanke last week.
5pm today 5pm yesterday
NZ dlr US66.62c US66.89c
NZ dlr/Aust dlr A90.26c A90.28c
NZ dlr/euro 0.5585 0.5591
NZ dlr/yen 78.93 79.00
NZ dlr/stg 38.22p 38.34p
NZ TWI 68.77 68.92
Australian dollar US73.85 US74.09c
Euro/US dollar US1.1925 US1.1964
US dollar/yen 118.52 118.09
- NZPA
<EM>Currency: </EM>Kiwi loses grip
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