The NZD/USD opens at 0.8530 having lost ground yesterday after the Federal Reserve's policy announcement was more hawkish than previous - 0.5% cash rate increase priced in by end of 2015.
NZ GDP came in on expectation yesterday - Q3 was revised lower, some upward revisions for further back, saw the NZD dip on the day.
US Unemployment Claims were slightly better than expected, causing speculation that the next Non-Farm Payroll numbers may impress - Philly Fed Manufacturing also printed better than expected.
Obama and Merkel both talk more sanctions for Russia - S&P revises Russia from stable to negative.
Stock markets currently: Dow Jones +0.53%, S&P +0.60%, FTSE -0.47%.
The NZD opens the crosses - 0.9440 AUD, 0.6190 EUR, 0.5170 GBP, 87.40 JPY, 0.9590 CAD.
NZ Visitor Arrivals and Credit Card Spending numbers today at 10.45am and 3.00pm.
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Dan Bell is the senior currency strategist at HiFX in Auckland. You can contact him here »
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