WELLINGTON/SYDNEY: The Australian and New Zealand dollars were softer on Thursday as the US dollar gained on a souring of risk sentiment on talk of further easing in the euro zone, and concerns about the growth outlook in Britain and Canada.
The Aussie trades at $1.0310 from $1.0350 late on Tuesday. It dipped to a one-month low of $1.0277 overnight. It has lost around 2 percent so far this week, a dramatic change from last week when it rallied to a three-month high of $1.0585.
Initial support is seen around the overnight low and then $1.0260, with sellers seen first at $1.0320 and then at $1.0352, the 50-day moving average.
The New Zealand dollar at $0.8446 from $0.8470 late locally on Wednesday. It ranged $0.8427 to $0.8492 overnight.
The kiwi, which was at a 20-month high of $0.8676 a week ago, is seen supported at $0.8400 and then the week's low of $0.8378, with resistance initially around $0.8455 and then $0.8490.
Euro suffers its biggest daily decline against the dollar in nearly a year, weakened by talk of a euro zone interest rate cut if conditions in the euro zone worsen.
US stocks drop across the board after several disappointing company earning reports, including Bank of America and Apple, while commodities -- oil and metals -- fall.
The Federal Reserve's Beige Book shows 10 of the 12 Fed districts saying growth was moderate or modest while two said growth had accelerated slightly.
The Canadian dollar weakens after the Bank of Canada holds rates but cuts its growth forecasts, while the Swedish central bank also holds rates but pushes out start of tighter policy because of low inflation and need to support economy.
Data shows weak U.K. wage growth and a rise in unemployment, adding to concerns about Britain's fragile economic outlook.
The euro eases against the Antipodeans as well, falling back to A$1.2643 from A$1.2739, while it retreats to NZ$1.5430 from a three-week peak of NZ$1.5555.
The Aussie and kiwi dollars are softer against the yen, with the Aussie down to 101.23 yen from 101.90, while the NZ dollar falls to 82.90 yen from 83.23 yen.
Data on Thursday shows NZ job advertisements rose for a second consecutive month in March, but still largely flat on a year ago and seen as consistent with the jobless rate at around 7 percent.
Australian debt futures gain, with three-year contract up 0.04 points at 97.310, while the 10-year contract adds 0.055 points to 96.800.
New Zealand government bond open flat.
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