Wellington, Feb 12 NZPA - The New Zealand dollar appeared to be on hold overnight, while the greenback rose against the euro and yen as investors remained uncertain about the size and scope of a stimulus package in the United States.

The kiwi spent most of the night in a range between US52.20c and US52.60c and at 8am was buying US52.32c, little changed from 5pm yesterday.

The ANZ bank said overnight attempts to revisit the US53c zone were easily thwarted by offshore selling interests.

The NZ dollar range traded on thin liquidity, and appeared to be in a holding pattern waiting for something to happen, ANZ said.

December retail sales figures, due tomorrow, were eagerly awaited by market participants.

The NZ dollar opened today barely changed from its 5pm level against the European and Japanese currencies, buying 0.4071 euro and 47.31 yen at 8am.

The kiwi edged up against the Australian dollar to A80.29c by the local open from A80.05c at 5pm. The trade weighted index was 52.88 at 8am from 52.81 at 5pm.

The greenback's rise against the yen and euro in volatile trading was bolstered by the US currency's status as a safe haven, amid uncertainty about the details of a US stimulus package.

A $US838 billion ($NZ1.6 billion) package has been passed by the Senate, but the Senate and House of Representatives now have to agree over the final shape of the plan.

NZPA WGT Reuters mjd kn