Rates play prods US$ to 4-month high vs yen

London

THE US dollar ground higher against the basket of currencies used to measure its broader strength on Tuesday, touching a four-month high against the yen on the back of the past fortnight's 25 basis-point rise in 10-year US government bond yields.

The New Zealand dollar fell to its lowest since June 22, with dealers pointing to a sluggish report on credit card spending after a brief dip following news of an earthquake off the country's South Island.