Markets

Australian dollar flat in early trading

AAP | 9:43am

The Australian dollar opened little changed this morning amid market speculation the US Federal Reserve was planning to lift the discount rate it charges banks for loans.

Stocks to watch: March 19

BusinessWire | 9:51am

The following stocks may be active on the New Zealand exchange after developments since the close of trading yesterday. All prices are in New Zealand dollars unless specified.

NZ dollar hits 2-year high against euro

NZPA

The New Zealand dollar climbed to a two-year high against the euro, as worries persisted about Greece's debt problems.

Oil falls below US$82

Reuters

Oil dipped below US$82 a barrel on Thursday after a two-day rally, as the US dollar strengthened against the euro and Opec did not take strong steps to tighten supplies above its official output cap.

Mixed start for Wall St

Reuters

The Dow industrials advanced for an eighth consecutive session on Thursday, lifted by a rise in Boeing's stock, while a mixed group of economic figures kept the broader S&P 500 in check.

Banks drag on European shares

Reuters

European shares fell overnight, led lower by the banking sector, with Greece's largest lender National Bank (NBG) slipping 6 per cent before a post-market results statement.

Aussie shares rise in early trading

AAP

The Australian share market has risen in opening trade, after US stocks closed higher for a seventh straight session.

Shares edge up, as Telecom claws back

NZPA

The New Zealand sharemarket lifted early as leading stock Telecom clawed back a cent after falling to an all-time closing low yesterday of 214.

Wall St hits recovery high

Reuters

US stocks gained on Wednesday, pushing the Dow to a 17-month high, after a benign February inflation reading supported the Federal Reserve's renewed pledge of low interest rates.

European bear market rally continues

Reuters

European shares hit a 17-month closing high on Wednesday, with banks, miners and energy stocks gaining from the US Federal Reserve's pledge to keep interest rates near zero for an extended period.