As Aussie's improving labour market stokes Australian sentiment, NZ dollar falls

New Zealand Stock Markets

The New Zealand dollar fell against the Aussie dollar and the greenback after figures showed Australia's jobless rate dropped to its lowest level in more than four years.

The kiwi fell to 90.24 Australian cents as at 5pm in Wellington from 90.56 cents late yesterday. It declined to 68.55 US cents from 68.71 cents yesterday.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the unemployment rate fell to 5.4 per cent in October from 5.5 percent in September. Economists had expected the rate to remain steady. 

The data also showed 3,700 net new jobs were added in October. That was short of forecasts of a 17,500 rise, but September was revised up to a solid increase of 26,600 from the first estimate of a gain of 19,800.

While the data painted a strong jobs picture, the market reaction may be short-lived given that wages growth remains tepid.

The trade-weighted index was at 72.70 from 72.90 yesterday. The kiwi fell to 52.04 British pence from 52.28 pence and traded at 58.20 euro cents from 58.26 cents. It was at 4.5497 yuan from 4.5556 yuan and traded at 77.45 yen from 77.72 yen.

New Zealand's two-year swap rate fell 1 basis point to 2.16 per cent while 10-year swaps fell 2 basis point to 3.15 per cent.