KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand dollar was nudging US69c again today after a session trading a narrow range.
It closed today on US68.98c from US68.65c at 5pm yesterday.
It also firmed against the Australian dollar, ending the session on A87.89c from A87.72c. The trade-weighted index finished on 67.76 from 67.63.
ANZ bank said selling interest yesterday was easily absorbed by a market ready, willing and able to take on board a high-yield currency with plenty of economic data leading into a period of reduced liquidity.
The kiwi's direction was clear, although the size of the movement was difficult to quantify, ANZ said.
Once US68.60c to US69.20c was left behind, US70.20c became the initial target.
ANZ also expected the kiwi to move higher against the aussie, given an abundance of economic data in this country in the run up to Christmas, while Australia's economic calendar was "somewhat drought-ridden".
The US dollar fell on extended losses against the euro after former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan warned investors to expect a few more years of dollar weakness.
Traders said the remarks were used as an excuse to sell the US currency after it rallied on upbeat jobs data that dampened expectations the Fed may have to trim interest rates early next year as the economy slows.
The euro stayed in sight of a record high against the yen on prospects for rates to keep rising in the euro zone, while softer data has helped to erode expectations for the Bank of Japan to bump up rates as early as next week.
The euro rose to US$1.3263 from around US$1.3235 in late US trade. The dollar slipped to 116.85 yen from 117.00 yen.
Reuters currency rates:
5pm today 5pm yesterday
NZ dlr/US dlr US68.98c US68.65
NZ dlr/Aust dlr A87.89c A87.72c
NZ dlr/euro 0.5201 0.5216
NZ dlr/yen 80.58 80.12
NZ dlr/stg 35.17p 35.20p
NZ TWI 67.76 67.63
Australian dollar US78.53c US78.24c
Euro/US dollar 1.3263 1.3159
US dollar/yen 116.76 116.69
- NZPA