The Australian and New Zealand dollars slipped against the yen on Thursday after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) eased policy but failed to take the bold action the market was betting on to bolster a weak economy. The Aussie trimmed losses to last fetch 88.21 and was on track for a 12 percent gain this year. It touched a 19-month high of 89.01 on Monday.

The kiwi nudged lower to 70.28, having briefly fallen below 70. It climbed a four-year peak of 71.36 this week. The Aussie last changed hands at $1.0475, from $1.0484 early, pulling away from a three-month peak of $1.0585 hit last week. The Aussie has fallen nearly 1 percent this week.

The euro held onto solid gains on the Antipodean currencies, showing a jump of 1.3 percent against the Aussie and nearly 2 percent versus the kiwi this week. It was last at A$1.2617, within striking distance of a two-month high of A$1.2681 hit on Wednesday. Major resistance was found at the October 23 peak of A$1.2673, with bids cited at A$1.2500. Against the kiwi, it fetched NZ$1.5843, close to a two-week peak of NZ$1.5916.

Copyright Reuters, 2012