The Australian and New Zealand dollars consolidated against the greenback on Thursday, lifted by short covering, stronger stocks and euro, though the mood remains fragile ahead of a crucial vote in Germany. The Aussie nudged up to $0.9801, from $0.9782 in New York, having hit an overnight peak $0.9956. A well-bid euro and recovering Asian stocks dragged the local dollar higher.
The New Zealand dollar edged up to $0.7782, from $0.7765 late in New York, having bounced off a low of $0.7705. The kiwi has fallen nearly 6 percent this quarter, which has seen it hit a 30-year high of $0.8842 and a near six-month low of $0.76358. The Antipodeans gained ground on the yen, with the kiwi around 59.46 yen, off a six-month trough of 58.21 struck this week. The Aussie at 74.83 yen, stood above a 13-month low of 73.28 yen. The euro drifted a shade off a 7-week peak against the Aussie, but was still firm at A$1.3901, while it sat around NZ$1.7474 against the kiwi.