18 Sep 2015

NZ dollar rises sharply after US leaves interest rates unchanged

10:09 am on 18 September 2015

The New Zealand dollar rose sharply briefly after the United States Federal Reserve this morning left interest rates unchanged at near zero.

The Fed said concerns about a weak world economy convinced it to delay what would have been the first rate rise in nearly a decade.

But it signalled that a rate increase later this year remained on the cards, while it lowered its long-term outlook for the economy.

The kiwi rose from 63.36 US cents before the decision to a high of 64.44 cents, before easing back.

A short time ago the kiwi was sitting at 63.5 cents.