Henry Russell

After plunging in the previous two quarters, GDP likely returned to positive growth for the December quarter, but the growth's looking pretty subdued so far

After plunging in the previous two quarters, GDP likely returned to positive growth for the December quarter, but the growth's looking pretty subdued so far

Labour market figures to be released in the coming week, could show unemployment hitting 5% for the first time since a brief spike during the pandemic, but David Hargreaves says with interest rates now coming down employment levels may start to settle

Labour market figures to be released in the coming week, could show unemployment hitting 5% for the first time since a brief spike during the pandemic, but David Hargreaves says with interest rates now coming down employment levels may start to settle

David Hargreaves examines the upcoming GDP figures, likely to show our economy having contracted for five out of the last eight quarters

David Hargreaves examines the upcoming GDP figures, likely to show our economy having contracted for five out of the last eight quarters

New Zealand retail sales down 1.2% in June quarter, extending two-year downward trend in consumer spending

New Zealand retail sales down 1.2% in June quarter, extending two-year downward trend in consumer spending

Labour market figures out in the coming week are universally expected to show higher numbers of people out of work, but David Hargreaves says it would need surprisingly high numbers to get the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates as soon as this month

Labour market figures out in the coming week are universally expected to show higher numbers of people out of work, but David Hargreaves says it would need surprisingly high numbers to get the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates as soon as this month

Statistics NZ says food prices rose 0.6% in April, while international airfares surged 7.2% and rentals continued to rise strongly

Statistics NZ says food prices rose 0.6% in April, while international airfares surged 7.2% and rentals continued to rise strongly

Softer labour market data won’t be enough to make the RBNZ cut the OCR before late 2024 or 2025, bank economists say

Softer labour market data won’t be enough to make the RBNZ cut the OCR before late 2024 or 2025, bank economists say

Bank economists anticipate the unemployment rate will edge up when Statistics NZ releases March quarter labour market data

Bank economists anticipate the unemployment rate will edge up when Statistics NZ releases March quarter labour market data

There weren't too many surprises in the new inflation figures out of Statistics NZ, but there’s enough in the data to keep the RBNZ nervous

There weren't too many surprises in the new inflation figures out of Statistics NZ, but there’s enough in the data to keep the RBNZ nervous

Ahead of April 17’s much anticipated release of the March quarter CPI, Westpac, ANZ and Kiwibank cast their predictions with all three banks expecting annual inflation to be higher than the RBNZ has forecast

Ahead of April 17’s much anticipated release of the March quarter CPI, Westpac, ANZ and Kiwibank cast their predictions with all three banks expecting annual inflation to be higher than the RBNZ has forecast

Stats NZ says food prices fell 0.6% in February, while rent increases showed signs of stabilising and domestic airfares went up again; economists see 'upside risks' to March quarter inflation figures

Stats NZ says food prices fell 0.6% in February, while rent increases showed signs of stabilising and domestic airfares went up again; economists see 'upside risks' to March quarter inflation figures

Stronger employment data could spook the Reserve Bank into raising the Official Cash Rate above 5.50%, economists say

Stronger employment data could spook the Reserve Bank into raising the Official Cash Rate above 5.50%, economists say

Inflation was cooler in the December quarter than any other in the past three years but still too hot for the Reserve Bank’s to consider cutting the Official Cash Rate

Inflation was cooler in the December quarter than any other in the past three years but still too hot for the Reserve Bank’s to consider cutting the Official Cash Rate

Stats NZ says food prices fell in November for the third consecutive month; domestic airfares and accommodation rose

Stats NZ says food prices fell in November for the third consecutive month; domestic airfares and accommodation rose

Economists are reviewing their inflation and interest rate forecasts after new Stats NZ pricing information suggests the rate of inflation in the current quarter may be slower than expected

Economists are reviewing their inflation and interest rate forecasts after new Stats NZ pricing information suggests the rate of inflation in the current quarter may be slower than expected