About
A senior journalist and news editor with interest.co.nz, David Hargreaves has covered financial markets and economics both in New Zealand and Britain for longer than he cares to mention.
David Hargreaves
Latest articles
Westpac McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Survey shows lowest levels of confidence since the immediate aftermath of the first Covid lockdown in 2020
25th Mar 25, 9:03am
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Westpac McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Survey shows lowest levels of confidence since the immediate aftermath of the first Covid lockdown in 2020
Economists don't see the upside surprise to the latest quarterly GDP figures as derailing likely Official Cash Rate cuts in each of the next two RBNZ reviews - but beyond that there's question marks over what comes next
24th Mar 25, 2:42pm
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Economists don't see the upside surprise to the latest quarterly GDP figures as derailing likely Official Cash Rate cuts in each of the next two RBNZ reviews - but beyond that there's question marks over what comes next
David Hargreaves says the turnaround of co-operative Fonterra at a time of high dairy prices provides a timely boost for our flagging economy
23rd Mar 25, 6:00am
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David Hargreaves says the turnaround of co-operative Fonterra at a time of high dairy prices provides a timely boost for our flagging economy
After plunging in the previous two quarters, GDP grew a better-than expected 0.7% in the December quarter; figures 'a genuine upside surprise'
20th Mar 25, 10:57am
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After plunging in the previous two quarters, GDP grew a better-than expected 0.7% in the December quarter; figures 'a genuine upside surprise'
Dairy giant Fonterra is paying its shareholder farmers a 22c interim dividend, up from 15c last year and narrowed its forecast milk price range - although the 'midpoint' for this is still a record $10.00
20th Mar 25, 8:54am
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Dairy giant Fonterra is paying its shareholder farmers a 22c interim dividend, up from 15c last year and narrowed its forecast milk price range - although the 'midpoint' for this is still a record $10.00
The deficit between what we earn overseas and what we spend drops to 6.2% of GDP, but remains at levels generally seen as too high
19th Mar 25, 11:12am
The deficit between what we earn overseas and what we spend drops to 6.2% of GDP, but remains at levels generally seen as too high
NZIER's latest consensus of economic forecasts shows that while economic growth is expected to rise above 2% by this time next year, economists see GDP only growing 2.6% by the March 2028 year
17th Mar 25, 2:18pm
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NZIER's latest consensus of economic forecasts shows that while economic growth is expected to rise above 2% by this time next year, economists see GDP only growing 2.6% by the March 2028 year
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
16th Mar 25, 6:30am
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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
Forsyth Barr analysts say record-high milk prices, boosted by a weak Kiwi dollar, robust Fonterra dividends and stabilising costs is driving on-farm returns to levels not experienced before
13th Mar 25, 2:29pm
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Forsyth Barr analysts say record-high milk prices, boosted by a weak Kiwi dollar, robust Fonterra dividends and stabilising costs is driving on-farm returns to levels not experienced before
International Monetary Fund says given the 'propensity' in New Zealand for rapid housing credit growth, the RBNZ should monitor the effect of its OCR easing and 'make full use' of its macroprudential toolbox to control the emergence of risks
12th Mar 25, 2:30pm
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International Monetary Fund says given the 'propensity' in New Zealand for rapid housing credit growth, the RBNZ should monitor the effect of its OCR easing and 'make full use' of its macroprudential toolbox to control the emergence of risks
[updated]
Stats NZ says retail card spending rose 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis in February after taking a dip in January
12th Mar 25, 11:17am
Stats NZ says retail card spending rose 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis in February after taking a dip in January
Stats NZ figures show that manufacturing and wholesale sale figures flipped into positive territory in the December quarter after both going backwards in the September quarter; meat and dairy were strong contributors
11th Mar 25, 11:50am
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Stats NZ figures show that manufacturing and wholesale sale figures flipped into positive territory in the December quarter after both going backwards in the September quarter; meat and dairy were strong contributors
Latest monthly RBNZ figures show owner-occupiers were still overwhelmingly 'going short' in January with their new mortgage commitments
10th Mar 25, 3:39pm
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Latest monthly RBNZ figures show owner-occupiers were still overwhelmingly 'going short' in January with their new mortgage commitments
Some economists think the departure of Adrian Orr from the Governorship of the RBNZ may signal that New Zealand’s Official Cash Rate now has 'less downside' than would otherwise be the case
10th Mar 25, 1:57pm
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Some economists think the departure of Adrian Orr from the Governorship of the RBNZ may signal that New Zealand’s Official Cash Rate now has 'less downside' than would otherwise be the case
Dairy co-operative Fonterra says it will now achieve earnings of between 55c and 75c a share for the year, up from a previous forecast of 40c-60c; roadshow details released for sale of 'Mainland Group'
10th Mar 25, 10:19am
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Dairy co-operative Fonterra says it will now achieve earnings of between 55c and 75c a share for the year, up from a previous forecast of 40c-60c; roadshow details released for sale of 'Mainland Group'
A surge in non-performing mortgage loans is a reminder that even though interest rates are now falling, this is not necessarily going to lift the economy as quickly as we would hope
7th Mar 25, 5:00am
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A surge in non-performing mortgage loans is a reminder that even though interest rates are now falling, this is not necessarily going to lift the economy as quickly as we would hope
Credit bureau Centrix says 23,700 home loans are past due, a 6% year-on-year increase
4th Mar 25, 5:00am
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Credit bureau Centrix says 23,700 home loans are past due, a 6% year-on-year increase
Statistics NZ says our terms of trade rose 3.1% in the December quarter as export price gains outstripped import price increases
3rd Mar 25, 12:03pm
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Statistics NZ says our terms of trade rose 3.1% in the December quarter as export price gains outstripped import price increases
Latest RBNZ figures show non-performing housing loans rose $165 million in January - the biggest monthly surge since June 2020 during the pandemic
3rd Mar 25, 10:59am
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Latest RBNZ figures show non-performing housing loans rose $165 million in January - the biggest monthly surge since June 2020 during the pandemic
The Reserve Bank is clearing the way for further interest rate falls, which should spark the economy again. But when and how quickly? David Hargreaves has a look at how things are tracking
2nd Mar 25, 6:30am
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The Reserve Bank is clearing the way for further interest rate falls, which should spark the economy again. But when and how quickly? David Hargreaves has a look at how things are tracking
Latest Reserve Bank figures show investors took 22.5% of the committed mortgage money in January - the highest percentage they've claimed since February 2021
27th Feb 25, 4:06pm
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Latest Reserve Bank figures show investors took 22.5% of the committed mortgage money in January - the highest percentage they've claimed since February 2021
ANZ chief economist says it seems clear GDP returned to positive growth in the last three months of 2024
27th Feb 25, 1:22pm
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ANZ chief economist says it seems clear GDP returned to positive growth in the last three months of 2024
Capital Economics revises down its forecast for the NZ dollar this year and sticks to its view the Reserve Bank will need to cut the OCR further than currently expected
26th Feb 25, 9:51am
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Capital Economics revises down its forecast for the NZ dollar this year and sticks to its view the Reserve Bank will need to cut the OCR further than currently expected
Analysts say the fact Fonterra's looking at a profit toward the top end of its guidance despite a record milk price to be paid 'shows strong strategic execution' within the co-operative
25th Feb 25, 12:34pm
Analysts say the fact Fonterra's looking at a profit toward the top end of its guidance despite a record milk price to be paid 'shows strong strategic execution' within the co-operative
Retirement village operator Ryman says it's taking 'decisive' action to reset its balance sheet and provide the company with the foundations 'to deliver further transformation initiatives'
24th Feb 25, 12:18pm
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Retirement village operator Ryman says it's taking 'decisive' action to reset its balance sheet and provide the company with the foundations 'to deliver further transformation initiatives'