Wrangling over the US federal debt limit keeps investors on edge.
The odds are growing that the United States will default on its debt after Congress and the White House failed to agree on a deal on Saturday.
Wall Street ended the week in a mixed mood on Friday.
The Dow Jones closed down 43 points, or 0.3%, at 12,681. The Nasdaq Composite closed up 24 points, or 0.8%, at 2858.
The Australian 200 Index closed on Friday up 46 points, or 1%, at 4602.
The NZX 50 closed up 27 points, or 0.8%, at 3449.
At 8.15am on Monday, the New Zealand dollar was buying 86.4 US cents, 79.73 Australian cents, 52.94 pence, 67.62 yen and 0.6007 euro. The Trade Weighted Index was at 73.85.
Brent crude oil was trading at $US119.83 per barrel and gold was trading at $US1597.25 per ounce.
