The New Zealand dollar fell versus the Aussie after a bank survey showed Australian business conditions jumped to a record high last month and amid talk that a $2.2 billion option on the cross rate is set to expire this week.
The New Zealand dollar was trading at 89.99 Australian cents as at 5pm versus 90.44 Australian cents as at 8am and from 90.27 cents. It was at 68.68 US cents versus 68.98 US cents as at 8am in Wellington and 69.18 cents late yesterday.
National Australia Bank's survey showed its index of business conditions rose 7 points to +21 in October, the highest since the survey began in 1997 and indicates that "the business sector in Australia is very strong at present, which is having positive spill-overs into the labour market and investment," said NAB chief economist Alan Oster.
The survey came ahead of a large option expiry on November 16 at an AUD/NZD strike price of A$1.11, which is where it is now trading, and Tim Kelleher, head of institutional foreign exchange sales at ASB Bank, said that would "create some selling in front of it on the kiwi cross." Given its size, it was likely to be a New York-based deal, he said.
Looking ahead, investors will be waiting for any signs of compromise on U.S. tax policy as well as a raft of central bank speakers from the US, European, British and Japanese central banks.
