KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand dollar firmed today in quiet trading, influenced by Independence Day in the US.
Dealers said the kiwi dollar traded in a tight US78.12/25c range, but below a 22-year high of US78.40c last night. It closed at US78.22c, compared with US78.12c yesterday.
ANZ currency dealer Murray Hindley expected the New Zealand currency to remain supported above US78c tonight, partly thanks to strong trade data out of Australia.
But he did not feel it would necessarily top last night's heady heights.
"With the US out for July 4 celebrations, I would expect trading to be subdued tonight...We're very light on data this week -- we're pretty much in the hands of the external marketplace."
Against the yen, the kiwi was still attracting buyers, hovering around 95.77 yen (95.59 yen), below a two-decade spike of 95.99 yen last night.
It also firmed slightly against the Aussie at A91.24c (A91.23c), the euro at 0.5745 (0.5735) and the pound at 38.77 pence (38.73p), while the trade weighted index rose to 75.51 (75.42).
The Australian dollar rose to US85.75c (US85.63c) as investors rated the chance of an interest rate rise next month, even thought the central bank kept interest rates steady at 6.25 per cent today.
The US dollar held a near 26-year low against the pound and a two-month low against the euro. The Bank of England is expected to raise rates while the European central bank is likely to hold rates but reinforce expectations of an increase later.
Rates:
5pm today 5pm yesterday
NZ dlr/US dlr US78.22c US78.12c
NZ dlr/Aust dlr A91.24c A91.23c
NZ dlr/euro 0.5745 0.5735
NZ dlr/yen 95.77 95.59
NZ dlr/stg 38.77p 38.73p
NZ TWI 75.51 75.42
Australian dollar US85.75c US85.63c
Euro/US dollar 1.3614 1.3621
US dollar/yen 122.43 122.37
- NZPA