The New Zealand dollar is stronger against the US dollar but weaker against the Australian dollar.
ASB Bank head of external foreign exchange sales Tim Kelleher says weaker US data explained the Kiwi's gain against that currency.
But more stronger-than-expected Australian figures pushed the Kiwi down against New Zealand's trans-Tasman neighbour's currency.
Mr Kelleher says the Australian dollar had a very strong day on Thursday with a retail sales figure of 1.2 percent compared to the 0.4 percent that was expected.
He says Australia also had a very strong January trade surplus of $1.4 billion compared to the expectation of $100 million.
The stronger Australian data follows Wednesday's stronger-than-expected economic growth figures and Tuesday's stronger-than-expected housing permits.
At about 5pm on Thursday, the Kiwi was trading at 84.25 US cents, up from 83.9 cents at that time on Wednesday, and at 93.44 Australian cents, down from 93.64 cents.
It was slightly stronger at 50.42 British pence and 0.6137 euro and up about three-quarters of a yen at 86.49 yen.
NZ sharemarket rises to new record
The sharemarket reached another record, its fifth in as many days. The benchmark Top 50 Index rose 42 points on Thursday to 5115 points.
Murray & Co director of wealth management Johnny Cochrane says investors are looking at stocks which will benefit from the improving economy.
He says Xero continues to put in a strong showing, and the core New Zealand cyclical exposure stocks such as Z Energy, Ebos, Summerset and Sky TV are all leveraged to an improving New Zealand economy and that's been priced into their evaluations.
Mr Cochrane says Fletcher Building has benefited from the stronger Australian data given that they have a strong domestic exposure to the Australian economy.
Xero shares soared to a record $45.99 before closing at $44.49, up $1.87.
Z Energy gained 9 cents to $3.90, Ebos climbed 20 cents to $10.20, Summerset put on 6 cents to $3.48 and Sky TV rose 2 cents to $6.40.
Fletcher Building shares gained 15 cents to $9.80.
Trading in shares in The Warehouse was halted on Thursday while it raised $100 million from institutions to help fund its move into providing financial services directly rather than through third parties.
The discount retailer plans to raise another $15 million from its retail shareholders.
This comes at the same time as it reported a 45 percent drop in first-half profit.
