Satish Ranchhod

Westpac-McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index shows consumer confidence in the June quarter dropped to the lowest level since 2023 due to the Middle East conflict, fuel and living costs

Westpac-McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index shows consumer confidence in the June quarter dropped to the lowest level since 2023 due to the Middle East conflict, fuel and living costs

Following May’s SPI figures, bank economists have revised their inflation projections for the June quarter and while the US-Iran deal is welcomed, it ‘doesn’t fully unwind the global oil supply shock’

Following May’s SPI figures, bank economists have revised their inflation projections for the June quarter and while the US-Iran deal is welcomed, it ‘doesn’t fully unwind the global oil supply shock’

After softer than expected April SPI figures, Westpac NZ economist says full impact of oil price rises yet to be felt through supply chain and a 'sharp rise' in inflation is still on the cards for the middle part of 2026

After softer than expected April SPI figures, Westpac NZ economist says full impact of oil price rises yet to be felt through supply chain and a 'sharp rise' in inflation is still on the cards for the middle part of 2026

Don't expect the March quarter to show much price pressure, economists say as some suggest annual inflation will soften slightly before it accelerates in the June quarter

Don't expect the March quarter to show much price pressure, economists say as some suggest annual inflation will soften slightly before it accelerates in the June quarter

Sharply weaker confidence, employment and GDP growth will drive weakness in the housing market, Westpac economists say

Sharply weaker confidence, employment and GDP growth will drive weakness in the housing market, Westpac economists say

'It’s nightmare time for the RBNZ. Supply shocks cannot be handled well by central banks. We have had plenty of recent evidence of this'

'It’s nightmare time for the RBNZ. Supply shocks cannot be handled well by central banks. We have had plenty of recent evidence of this'

Stats NZ reports that spending on discretionary items helped drive the $239 million seasonally-adjusted rise in sales volumes in the December quarter

Stats NZ reports that spending on discretionary items helped drive the $239 million seasonally-adjusted rise in sales volumes in the December quarter

Food prices rocketed 2.5% last month, driving the annual food price rise up 4.6%

Food prices rocketed 2.5% last month, driving the annual food price rise up 4.6%

Retail NZ says while there is slightly more willingness by households to pull out the wallet, 'shoppers are remaining cautious about how much they are spending'

Retail NZ says while there is slightly more willingness by households to pull out the wallet, 'shoppers are remaining cautious about how much they are spending'

Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says there's been an encouraging lift in discretionary spending, with particularly large increases in spending in the hospitality sector, as well as increased sales of furnishings and other household durables

Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod says there's been an encouraging lift in discretionary spending, with particularly large increases in spending in the hospitality sector, as well as increased sales of furnishings and other household durables

‘Our new laser-focussed-on-inflation RBNZ Governor will not be amused’: Economists say OCR hike in 2026 ‘likelier than not’ following latest annual inflation figures

‘Our new laser-focussed-on-inflation RBNZ Governor will not be amused’: Economists say OCR hike in 2026 ‘likelier than not’ following latest annual inflation figures

Retail NZ says the Black Friday-led surge in sales in November did not continue into December and believes retailers will 'be bracing for a possible rocky few months ahead of them'

Retail NZ says the Black Friday-led surge in sales in November did not continue into December and believes retailers will 'be bracing for a possible rocky few months ahead of them'

Stats NZ reports a $472 million inflation-adjusted, seasonally-adjusted increase in volume of retail sales in September quarter with the increase dominated by rises in electronic goods and motor vehicle sales

Stats NZ reports a $472 million inflation-adjusted, seasonally-adjusted increase in volume of retail sales in September quarter with the increase dominated by rises in electronic goods and motor vehicle sales

There are ‘no obstacles’ to another Official Cash Rate cut, economists say, and they expect inflation to fall as Statistics New Zealand’s latest Selected Price Indexes shows annual food prices up 4.7% in October

There are ‘no obstacles’ to another Official Cash Rate cut, economists say, and they expect inflation to fall as Statistics New Zealand’s latest Selected Price Indexes shows annual food prices up 4.7% in October

Electronic cards data for October shows that apart from rises in fuel and consumables spending, seasonally adjusted retail spending was on a downward path again

Electronic cards data for October shows that apart from rises in fuel and consumables spending, seasonally adjusted retail spending was on a downward path again