SYDNEY, Oct 20 (Reuters) - The Australian and New Zealand dollars held firm on Tuesday helped by gains on European currencies following riots in France, while investors awaited developments on domestic interest rates.
The Aussie was flat at $0.6977, having risen 0.5% overnight and away from a recent 15-week trough of $0.68945. Near-term resistance comes in at $0.6993 and $0.7015.
It also bounced on the euro, sterling and the Swiss franc as political concerns hit bonds across the continent.
The kiwi dollar stood at $0.5665, after edging up 0.1% overnight. Major support lies at the recent 17-month low of $0.5566, with resistance at $0.5675 and $0.5750.
The next domestic hurdle for the Aussie will be an appearance by Reserve Bank of Australia Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser on Wednesday where he is likely to field questions about the chance of a fifth hike in rates this year.