Brian Easton concludes the proposal to reduce the number of public servants is not well worked out, and if the Government is reelected, some 'brutal measures' then

Middle East backdrop remains tense and uncertain; oil prices trade a wide range on headlines; Brent crude back to US$95 after stretching towards US$98. Another strong US ISM manufacturing report. US and Australian rates higher

Roger J Kerr sees a growing probability that the NZD will rise to 'well above 60 USc'. As oil prices fall away (in USD), the cost in NZD will fall faster. He also sees a new era of transparency and accountability at the RBNZ

China's log market in rough balance, India pulls back, while some evidence exporters are having to absorb some of the higher freight costs. Domestic demand for logs firmer after local capacity shutdowns