Satish Ranchhod
ASB senior economist Mark Smith says the latest Selected Price Indexes give some comfort inflation is moderating from its 4.1% peak
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ASB senior economist Mark Smith says the latest Selected Price Indexes give some comfort inflation is moderating from its 4.1% peak
Westpac says retail spending scored a 2% gain in July as the FIFA World Cup drove up hospitality spending, but fuel prices continue to keep household budgets offside
Westpac says retail spending scored a 2% gain in July as the FIFA World Cup drove up hospitality spending, but fuel prices continue to keep household budgets offside
Although the latest CPI inflation data wasn't as worrying as it could have been, economists still see more OCR increases ahead
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Although the latest CPI inflation data wasn't as worrying as it could have been, economists still see more OCR increases ahead
Electronic card spending took a dive in June, with Westpac expecting retail spending levels to rise ‘only gradually’ in the coming months
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Electronic card spending took a dive in June, with Westpac expecting retail spending levels to rise ‘only gradually’ in the coming months
[updated]
Following a split Official Cash Rate vote in May, UBS anticipates a more allied voting stance in the Reserve Bank’s July Monetary Policy Review. Westpac sees 2 hikes this year
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Following a split Official Cash Rate vote in May, UBS anticipates a more allied voting stance in the Reserve Bank’s July Monetary Policy Review. Westpac sees 2 hikes this year
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
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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’
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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
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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
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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
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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'
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'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
[updated]
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
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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