NZ dlr stronger on economic optimism; debt steady

WELLINGTON, Oct 1 - The New Zealand dollar <NZD=> pushed higher against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, bolstered by growing optimism about economic recovery.

* Kiwi well supported around $0.7230/33, compared with $0.7210/15 in late Wednesday trade, as safe-haven demand for U.S. dollar dimmed with growing optimism of economic recovery.

* NZ dollar also boosted by a string of good news, including the latest survey showing business confidence at a ten-year high and other indicators signalling NZ economy on the mend. See also [ID:nSP488577]

* Kiwi also resilient, even after the U.S. dollar gained on speculation the Swiss National Bank may have intervened to weaken its currency. The SNB declined comment on the franc's price action. See [ID:nWEA3061]

* Kiwi also firm against the yen <NZDJPY=R> and the euro <NZDEUR=R>, while softer against the Aussie <NZDAUD=R>, which benefits from strong gains in commodity prices.

* NZ dollar seen supported around $0.7140, and facing resistance at $0.7250 in the near term.

* NZ debt steady, while short-dated U.S. Treasuries rose on unexpectedly weak data on jobs and regional business activity. -------------(01 October 2009 10:11 / 2111 GMT)-------------

(Last prices as at 6pm NZ time the previous day) 90-DAY LIVE 2.80 (2.81) NOV-2011 4.170 (4.170) 90-DAY (DEC) untraded (97.13) APR-2013 4.960 (4.960) 90-DAY (MAR) 96.76 (96.78) DEC-2017 5.610 (5.610) 90-DAY (JUN) 96.11 (96.14) MAY-2021 5.940 (5.940) RBNZ MCI 279 (267) US 10YR BOND 3.305 (3.307) NZD TWI 65.64 (65.48) AU 10YR BOND 5.448 (5.418) NZD/USD 0.7225(0.7202) NZ/US 10YR SPD +231bp(+230bp) NZD/AUD 0.8177(0.8195) NZ/AU 10YR SPD +16bp (+19bp) NZD/EUR 0.4937(0.4924) NZ 2YR SWAP 4.285 (4.290) NZD/JPY 64.86 (64.57) NZ 5YR SWAP 5.475 (5.470) --------------------------------------------------------------- - ( --------------------------------------------------------------- - ((Wellington newsroom tel 64 4 471 4234, fax +64 4 4736 212, wellington.newsroom@reuters.com