SYDNEY/WELLINGTON: The Australian and New Zealand dollars were higher on Thursday against most major currencies as soft US data and a reaffirmation of the euro zone's accommodative monetary policy boosted demand for the high yielders.
* The Aussie around $0.9279, from $0.9260 in late local trade on Wednesday, having a one-week high of $0.9345 overnight.
* Aussie little moved by the political turmoil which results in Australia's former leader Kevin Rudd toppling Julia Gillard to return as prime minister with elections less than three months away.
* Aussie looks to be settling and forming a base near $0.9200 after its 11 percent plunge of the past two months. Near term support seen at $0.9240 and below that $0.9220 with resistance at $0.9315.
* The New Zealand dollar was one of the better performers of the dollar-bloc at $0.7782, from $0.7738 late on Wednesday, after touching a one-week high of $0.7861 overnight.
* Kiwi has bounced back from a one-year low of $0.7683 hit on Monday, with near term support at $0.7720, with resistance at $0.7820 and then the overnight high of $0.7861.
* The euro fell back against the Aussie and kiwi after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi highlights risks to euro zone growth and reiterates the ECB is nowhere near exiting its easy policy stance.
* Euro dropped 0.8 pct to A$1.4009, well off the recent top of A$1.4416 and looking likely to test support around A$1.3810.
* Sterling also falls as the Bank of England dampens expectations of policy tightening and cautions that the British economy is still weak.
* US dollar weathered an unexpected drop in the third reading of US GDP, which was revised down to a 1.8 percent annual rate, from the previous 2.4 percent.
* NZ has trade data, with expectations for another solid monthly surplus and steady annual deficit. Monthly business confidence also due.
* Reserve Bank of NZ deputy governor Spencer also speaks on the use of macro-prudential tools and the housing market.
* Australian debt futures higher after Treasuries got a boost from the soft GDP report. The three-year bond contract indicated up 0.080 points at 97.160. The 10-year contract rises 0.045 points to 96.185.
* New Zealand government bond prices also firmed, pushing yields as much as 4 basis points lower.
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