Here are the key things you need to know before you leave work today (or if you work from home, before you shutdown your laptop).
MORTGAGE RATE CHANGES
BNZ has changed rates today, both up (5 terms), unchanged (1) and down (1). Details here. All current mortgage rates are here. And note, you can compare mortgage offers with our unique calculator that takes into account other costs and cashback incentives, here.
TERM DEPOSIT/SAVINGS RATE CHANGES
AMP has raised its TD rates. All updated term deposit rates less than 1 year are here, for 1-5 years, they are here.
A WEAK BOUNCE
The Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index rose by 3.2 points to 86.3 in the September quarter, reversing only a small part of the steep 12.5 point fall in the June quarter. The last two readings have been the lowest for the survey since it began in September 2004.
Latest visa figures show more foreign workers, more foreign students but fewer residence visas were issued in August.
'DEREGISTERED FOR SERIOUS WRONGDOING'
Following an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs, the Charities Registration Board has determined that the Christian Church Community Trust, which supports activities associated with the Gloriavale Christian Community, should be removed from the Charities Register. It is a decision that can be appealed.
INTRIGUING UPDATE
For readers who read our analysis story that benchmarks food costs internationally, please note it has been updated with a new chart by the IMF which points out where New Zealand stands across two key metrics. The new addition may surprise you, here.
MONDAY-MORNING QUARTERBACKS PASS JUDGMENT YEARS LATER
The "independent review" of RBNZ actions during the pandemic have been released. They were carried out by incoming government appointed 'experts' who had the benefit of hindsight. But they praised the Least Regrets strategy and fast actions. However they panned the slow roll-off of the emergency provisions - an easy after-the-fact observation, but one very difficult at the time. Their full report is here. The RBNZ will need to be careful that they treat this advice with caution. No point fighting the last war in the next one.
NZX50 UP EARLY, NOW FLAT
As at 3pm, the overall NZX50 index is little-changed today so far but slipping having given up morning gains. But for the past 5 trading sessions it is up +2.4%. It is up +7.1% from six months ago. From a year ago it is now up +5.1%. Market heavyweight F&P Healthcare is up +0.3% so far today. Vulcan Steel extends its rally alongside Kathmandu, Kiwi Property, and Goodman while a2 Milk, Vector, Air NZ and Ryman decline.
AFFIRMED, STILL NEGATIVE
Fitch Ratings has affirmed the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency's Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings at 'AA+'. The Outlook remains Negative.
MORE BONDS
Metlifecare has opened a bond offering up to $100 mln (with the ability to accept oversubscriptions of up to an additional $50 mln at Metlifecare’s discretion) of secured, unsubordinated, 6 year fixed rate sustainability bonds. The indicative issue margin range for the Bonds is 1.75% to 1.85% pa.
CARS AS SECURITY RISKS
In Australia, the ABC's Four Corners program has dobbed in Chinese carmaker BYD over its terms & conditions reservation to use the vehicles for surveillance purposes, for China. BYD has tried to beat a hasty retreat with amendments, but the new T&Cs still require vehicle owners to sign up to surveillance. While all references to China have been removed, nothing stops it from transferring data overseas, including to China. (To be fair, Tesla probably has the same carveouts.)
SWAPS STABLE
Wholesale swap rates will likely be little-changed today. Keep an eye on our chart below which will record the final positions closer to 5pm. The RBNZ 90 day rate was up +1 bp at 3.17% on Monday. Today, the Australian 10 year bond yield has dipped -2 bps to 5.27%. The China 10 year bond rate is -1 bp softer at 1.67%. The Japanese 10 year bond is still at 2.98% while they are on holiday. The NZ Government 10 year bond rate is now at 4.97% and down -2 bps from Monday. (The RBNZ 10 year rate is 'prior day' and was unchanged at 4.95% on Monday.) And the UST 10yr yield is now at 4.93%, and down -4 bps from yesterday.
EQUITIES UP
The NZX50 is now little-changed from yesterday's close. The ASX200 has opened up +0.2%. Tokyo is closed for a holiday today. The KOSPI has risen +1.8% at its open today. Hong Kong has opened up +0.6% while Shanghai is up +0.3% at its open. Singapore is up +0.4% in early Tuesday trade today. Wall Street ended higher with the S&P500 was up +1.5%.
OIL PRICES EASE, MAINLY IN THE US
American oil prices are down -US$5 from yesterday with the WTI benchmark now at just over US$93/bbl, while the international Brent price is just under US$101.50/bbl and down just -50 USc.
CARBON PRICE FIRM
There have been a few reported trades today, some largish. The price has risen slightly to $52.50/NZU. See our daily chart tracker of the NZU price for carbon, courtesy of emsTradepoint.
GOLD SOFTISH
In early Asian trade, gold is down -US$19/oz from this time yesterday, now at US$4342/oz. Silver is down -50 USc at US$66/oz.
NZD FIRM
The Kiwi dollar is up +10 bps from yesterday, now at 57.3 USc. Against the Aussie we are up +20 bps at 80.5 AUc. Against the euro we still at just under 50 euro cents, also up +20 bps. This all means the TWI-5 is remains just under 60.8 and up +20 bps from yesterday.
BITCOIN RISES SHARPLY
The bitcoin price is now at US$88,701 and up +5.5% from this morning. Volatility has been high at just on +/- 3.7%.
HOW THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC FORCES AFFECT US
If you want to catch up on what happened last night, try our Economy Watch podcast, here.
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