SYDNEY/WELLINGTON: The Australian dollar held near two-month high against the US dollar on Wednesday, shrugging off slightly weaker-than-expected GDP data on top of an interest rate cut earlier in the week.
Aussie steady at $1.0470, having climbed to $1.0485 in offshore trade. A break above the Nov high of $1.0491 could see a test of $1.0520, the Sept 21 peak. Traders cite stops above $1.0520/30, with larger ones above $1.0570.
Long-term trendline found at $1.0565 and a break above would be very bullish. Support seen at $1.0460 and $1.0430/35.
Australia's economy grew a moderate 0.5 percent last quarter vs forecasts of a 0.6 pct rise with declining export earnings and a cresting mining boom pointing to tougher times ahead.
GDP reading does little to change market odds of further easing, following Tuesday's quarter point cut to a record-matching low of 3.0 pct.
Interbank futures suggest a 50-50 chance of a follow-up rate cut in February, when the RBA next meets. Markets priced for the cash rate to approach 2.5 pct by the middle of next year. Some economists think a floor of 2 percent is not impossible.
The New Zealand dollar pauses at $0.8246, having touched a near one-week high of $0.8261 offshore.
Initial support at $0.8225, Monday's high, and below that around $0.8200, the 50-day moving average. First hurdle is seen at $0.8269 and more solidly at $0.8280.
Antipodeans still near six-week lows vs the euro , but hovering close to 8-month peaks against the yen .
NZ dairy giant Fonterra's latest auction shows average prices falling 2 percent, the first decline in two months, although prices are still up more than 20 percent since the middle of the year. * NZ building work jumped strongly in third quarter, with total volumes up 9.6 percent, the strongest in 10 years, while residential volumes rose 7.1 pct. Data suggests a positive boost from construction to third quarter gross domestic product and eases risks of a contraction.
Kiwi holds up ahead of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's monetary policy statement on Thursday, which is expected to see the RBNZ hold rates at 2.5 percent. Markets are pricing in a small chance of a cut.
New Zealand government bonds trade with mild offered tone, sending yields as much as 2 basis points higher along the curve.
Australian government bonds firmer, with the three-year contract 0.030 points higher at 97.420, while the 10-year contract is up 0.035 points at 96.935.
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