The kiwi has traded at 61.72 euro cents, the highest level since the common European currency was introduced in 2002 and just above the previous high of 61.70 euro cents traded in August last year.

MARKET CLOSE: Wall Street sank for a third day as the euro fell below $US1.30 and Europe's woes continued to hold sway over global markets.

Credit ratings downgrades of Italy and Spain overshadowed better-than-expected US jobs data.

MARKET CLOSE: Blue chip stocks again made triple-figure gains as Europe took steps to stem the region's debt crisis.

MARKET CLOSE: The stalemate in US debt-ceiling negotiations and continued euro debt issues sparked a selloff.