NZ dollar gains as threat of US govt shutdown weighs on greenback

NZ dollar gains as threat of US govt shutdown weighs on greenback
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Jan. 19 (BusinessDesk) - The New Zealand dollar rose back above 73 US cents as the looming deadline for US policymakers to extend funding for the federal government to avoid a shutdown weighed on the greenback and pushed up US interest rates.  The kiwi gained to 73.08 US cents as at 8.30am from 72.60 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index advanced to 75.15 from 74.89 yesterday.  US legislators have a Jan. 19 deadline to extend funding measures to avoid freezing federal government functions and need buy-in from the Dem...