New Zealand dollar slipped against the greenback on Wednesday as weak retail sales data highlighted a slowing economy at home, while the euro hovered near 2-1/2 month lows versus the Antipodeans on lingering euro zone uncertainty. The New Zealand dollar dipped to a session low of$0.8156, from $0.8185 early, following a surprise fall in retail sales in the third quarter. The weak reading came on top of a gloomy jobs report last week and led markets to narrow the odds for a rate cut.
In contrast, the Aussie dollar rose to $1.0450, from $1.0429 early, getting closer to a six-month peak of $1.0480 hit last week. Resistance for the Aussie was found at $1.0480, with key support near $1.0330-$1.0360, an area that contains the 55-, 100-, and 200-day moving averages.
The common currency fetched A$1.2164, having dipped to A$1.2151 on Tuesday, its weakest since late August. Against the kiwi, the euro also hovered around 2-1/2 month lows at NZ$1.5558, having touched NZ$1.5380 last week. The New Zealand dollar lost further ground against its neighbour, with the Aussie scaling a fresh two-month peak of NZ$1.2796.