Here's my summary of the key issues from overnight that affect New Zealand, with news Greece has defied its international creditors, refusing to cut pensions or ease layoffs to meet their demands. This has dimmed Greece's prospect of moving towards securing desperately needed financial aid.

Chinese investors and immigrants are throwing money at houses across the ditch. A Credit Suisse report shows they spent nearly $9 billion on residential property in Australia last year. This is 60% more than the previous year and is worth 15% of national housing supply. The Chinese are expected to pump another $60 billion into the market over the next six years.

As for Chinese stocks, Morgan Stanley has downgraded their value for the first time in more than seven years, saying the market has become expensive.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits has held near a 15-year low; a sign the labour market is strengthening despite moderate economic growth. Overnight, all eyes will be on the US Non-Farm Payrolls Report, which is also expected to show good employment growth.

The outlook's similar in Europe. The employment rate among 20 to 64-year-olds increased for the first time since the financial crisis in 2014. At 69.2%, the employment rate is inching closer to its 2008 peak of 70.3%.

Polling in the UK general election has closed. It's neck in neck, but Telegraph's latest poll puts Labour slightly ahead of the Conservatives.

In New York, the UST 10yr benchmark remains at 2.21%.

After spiking earlier this week, the US oil price has fallen to US$59/barrel, while Brent crude has dropped to US$65/barrel.

The gold price has dipped to US$1,182/oz.

The New Zealand dollar starts today slightly lower than yesterday. It's fallen to 74.4 US¢, inched up to 94.2 AU¢, and dropped slightly to 66.0 euro cents. The TWI-5 is down to 77.8.

Over the last three weeks, the NZD's fallen -3.3% against the USD, -4.5% against the AUD, and -7.4% against the Euro. The TWI-5 is -4.7% lower.

If you want to catch up with all the local changes yesterday, we have an update here.

The easiest place to stay up with event risk today is by following our Economic Calendar here »