Australia, NZ dollars bend before dollar, bonds take a beating
TLT•Aussie and kiwi weaken as dollar rises
By Wayne Cole
SYDNEY, July 24 (Reuters) - The Australian and New Zealand dollars bowed before a broadly stronger greenback on Friday as a further surge in oil prices stoked speculation about rate rises globally and slugged bond markets.
The Aussie was flat at $0.6973 AUD=D3, having slipped 0.4% overnight and away from resistance around $0.7026. Immediate support is at $0.6960, with more at $0.6913.
It still held weekly gains on the yen and euro as Japan and Europe are major energy importers, while Australia is a net exporter of liquefied natural gas and coal.
The kiwi dollar steadied at $0.5781 NZD=D3, after losing 0.8% overnight. That left it well off the week's top of $0.5873 and threatening support at $0.5744.
