Sterling made gains against the kiwi yesterday, but rising risk appetite has supported kiwi advances today

Evidence that the UK economic recovery is strengthening enabled sterling to reverse a five day slide against the kiwi, closing up at 2.2341.

• Sterling clawed back nearly two cents, or 0.8%, in the wake of strong data referring to retails sales, credit lending, and a final upward revision to the GDP figure.
  
• Sales volumes at UK retailers bounced back to their strongest level for five months in September, reaching levels well above expectations, whilst the second quarter GDP figure in the UK was revised to just a 0.6% contraction.
  
• The positive data was offset slightly by a weaker-than-expected UK current account deficit, but investors seemingly overlooked this, with demand for the pound broadly rising.
  
• In trading this morning however, the kiwi has advanced, supported by a survey showing business confidence in New Zealand at a ten-year high, which fed speculation of a rise in rates.
  
• The kiwi also benefitted from a sluggish dollar and strength in the aussie, which supported appetite for riskier assets.