NZ dollar gains ahead of RBNZ statement seen as kicking off tightening cycle

NZ dollar gains ahead of RBNZ statement seen as kicking off tightening cycle
By Paul McBeth March 11 (BusinessDesk) - The New Zealand dollar gained in local trading on expectations the Reserve Bank will hike the official cash rate at this Thursday’s policy review, kicking off a prolonged tightening cycle. The kiwi rose to 84.81 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 84.64 cents at 8am and 84.61 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index advanced to 79.50 from 79.19 yesterday. Traders have lifted bets on a rate hike on Thursday, pricing in a 101 percent chance central bank governor Graeme Wheeler will raise the official...