The New Zealand dollar fell broadly on Thursday after a shock jump in the country's jobless rate to a 13-year peak revived speculation of a rate cut, holding the Australian dollar back as well. The kiwi skidded to $0.8157, a cent and a half lower from Wednesday's late trade, after the unemployment rate climbed to 7.3 percent in the third quarter. That was up from 6.8 percent and confounded forecasts of a dip to 6.7 percent.
The currency last fetched $0.8171 with major support seen near $0.8081, the 200-day moving average. In sharp contrast, Australia delivered a robust labour report showing employment increased 10,700 in October, beating forecasts of a flat outcome. The jobless rate held at 5.4 percent, when analysts had expected a tick up to 5.5 percent. Full-time jobs also rose a solid 18,700. The numbers initially sent the Aussie dollar a quarter of a cent higher to a session peak of $1.0433.