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
An improved performance from the services sector in July on top of the manufacturing sector returning to expansion indicates the economy may be picking up again from a mid-year slump
18th Aug 25, 11:45am
1
An improved performance from the services sector in July on top of the manufacturing sector returning to expansion indicates the economy may be picking up again from a mid-year slump
After 'pausing' at its last Official Cash Rate Review in July the Reserve Bank will almost certainly cut rates again in the coming week. As ever, attention will quickly switch to whether further cuts might follow
17th Aug 25, 6:00am
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After 'pausing' at its last Official Cash Rate Review in July the Reserve Bank will almost certainly cut rates again in the coming week. As ever, attention will quickly switch to whether further cuts might follow
The latest quarterly Household Expectations Survey for the Reserve Bank finds that households reckon the inflation rate will be 4.0% in a year and 3.0% in two years - probably encouraging news for the RBNZ ahead of the latest OCR review
14th Aug 25, 3:35pm
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The latest quarterly Household Expectations Survey for the Reserve Bank finds that households reckon the inflation rate will be 4.0% in a year and 3.0% in two years - probably encouraging news for the RBNZ ahead of the latest OCR review
Electronic cards data for July shows that seasonally adjusted retail spending rose for the second consecutive month, with gains in hospitality and consumables somewhat offset by continued weakness in durables and apparel
13th Aug 25, 11:33am
1
Electronic cards data for July shows that seasonally adjusted retail spending rose for the second consecutive month, with gains in hospitality and consumables somewhat offset by continued weakness in durables and apparel
Forsyth Barr analysts downgrade their profit forecasts for our national airline and say it was either loss-making, or at best, made a 'small' profit in the second half of the 2025 financial year
11th Aug 25, 2:46pm
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Forsyth Barr analysts downgrade their profit forecasts for our national airline and say it was either loss-making, or at best, made a 'small' profit in the second half of the 2025 financial year
Kiwibank economists say all of the key data released ahead of the Reserve Bank's Official Cash Rate review next week have been supportive of another cut
11th Aug 25, 12:10pm
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Kiwibank economists say all of the key data released ahead of the Reserve Bank's Official Cash Rate review next week have been supportive of another cut
Big financial windfall for NZ dairy farmers gets closer as Fonterra moves toward the final stages of selling some of its household brand names such as Anchor and Mainland
11th Aug 25, 9:49am
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Big financial windfall for NZ dairy farmers gets closer as Fonterra moves toward the final stages of selling some of its household brand names such as Anchor and Mainland
RBNZ survey has shown an easing in expectations of inflation - something that will cause the RBNZ comfort as it prepares for its next Official Cash Rate decision later in the month
7th Aug 25, 3:25pm
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RBNZ survey has shown an easing in expectations of inflation - something that will cause the RBNZ comfort as it prepares for its next Official Cash Rate decision later in the month
New BIS research paper looks at the 'unique set of challenges' posed by stablecoins and outlines the potential required policy response
7th Aug 25, 7:57am
New BIS research paper looks at the 'unique set of challenges' posed by stablecoins and outlines the potential required policy response
Morgan Stanley analysts say ANZ, CBA and NAB grew mortgages 'broadly in line with system' in the first six months of 2025, while Westpac lagged; CBA reporting results soon
7th Aug 25, 7:55am
Morgan Stanley analysts say ANZ, CBA and NAB grew mortgages 'broadly in line with system' in the first six months of 2025, while Westpac lagged; CBA reporting results soon
[updated]
Financial Markets Authority says Kiwibank overcharged thousands of customers a total of close to $1 million between 2011 and 2024
6th Aug 25, 9:30am
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Financial Markets Authority says Kiwibank overcharged thousands of customers a total of close to $1 million between 2011 and 2024
A look at the detailed mortgage figures for the first six months of this year reveals that the investors are definitely back - even if that's not what the current market narrative might say
6th Aug 25, 8:39am
4
A look at the detailed mortgage figures for the first six months of this year reveals that the investors are definitely back - even if that's not what the current market narrative might say
Latest monthly RBNZ figures show that in June there was a marked shift in preference to one-year fixed mortgages, particularly for investors
4th Aug 25, 3:37pm
1
Latest monthly RBNZ figures show that in June there was a marked shift in preference to one-year fixed mortgages, particularly for investors
ANZ economists believe firms have 'hoarded' labour in anticipation of economic recovery and may now be forced to 'right size' through layoffs - amplifying the unemployment rate; OCR may be forced below 2.5%
4th Aug 25, 2:38pm
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ANZ economists believe firms have 'hoarded' labour in anticipation of economic recovery and may now be forced to 'right size' through layoffs - amplifying the unemployment rate; OCR may be forced below 2.5%
'There is an element of being punished because NZ has great scenery and because Americans want to eat far more hamburgers than the Duttons on Yellowstone ranch can produce beef for'
4th Aug 25, 1:16pm
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'There is an element of being punished because NZ has great scenery and because Americans want to eat far more hamburgers than the Duttons on Yellowstone ranch can produce beef for'
Labour market figures to be released in the coming week may show the unemployment rate rising to 5.3% from 5.1%, reflecting a mid-year 'stall' in the hoped-for economic recovery
3rd Aug 25, 6:01am
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Labour market figures to be released in the coming week may show the unemployment rate rising to 5.3% from 5.1%, reflecting a mid-year 'stall' in the hoped-for economic recovery
Latest Reserve Bank figures show that even as mortgage rates come down, the amount of non-performing housing loans is still going up, now getting close to $2.5 billion worth
31st Jul 25, 3:47pm
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Latest Reserve Bank figures show that even as mortgage rates come down, the amount of non-performing housing loans is still going up, now getting close to $2.5 billion worth
Latest ANZ Business Outlook Survey shows a renewed slump in expected activity for both the construction and retail sectors: 'It appears residential builders are giving up on a recovery any time soon'
30th Jul 25, 1:26pm
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Latest ANZ Business Outlook Survey shows a renewed slump in expected activity for both the construction and retail sectors: 'It appears residential builders are giving up on a recovery any time soon'
[updated]
Monthly filled jobs data shows a slight rise in June, but the May figures showed a rise initially as well - and that's now been revised down to a fall; primary sector continues to be a notable bright spot for employment
28th Jul 25, 11:32am
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Monthly filled jobs data shows a slight rise in June, but the May figures showed a rise initially as well - and that's now been revised down to a fall; primary sector continues to be a notable bright spot for employment
David Hargreaves has a crunch of the mortgage figures for the first six months of 2025 and says these show a return very much to 'normal' patterns after the wild pandemic period and subsequent slump
25th Jul 25, 9:12am
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David Hargreaves has a crunch of the mortgage figures for the first six months of 2025 and says these show a return very much to 'normal' patterns after the wild pandemic period and subsequent slump
Macquarie analysts say economic modelling implies that the particularly strong bank share market performance in 2024 was not supported by macro fundamentals, with a record deviation between the modelled and actual performance
24th Jul 25, 10:09am
Macquarie analysts say economic modelling implies that the particularly strong bank share market performance in 2024 was not supported by macro fundamentals, with a record deviation between the modelled and actual performance
Latest Reserve Bank figures show that some 30% of 'new' mortgage commitments in the past month were due to customers changing loan providers
23rd Jul 25, 3:50pm
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Latest Reserve Bank figures show that some 30% of 'new' mortgage commitments in the past month were due to customers changing loan providers
Continued strong annual growth in export of dairy products, fruit and forest products has seen NZ record five consecutive monthly goods trade surpluses for the first time since the pandemic affected 2020
22nd Jul 25, 2:46pm
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Continued strong annual growth in export of dairy products, fruit and forest products has seen NZ record five consecutive monthly goods trade surpluses for the first time since the pandemic affected 2020
Fletcher Building is now officially looking to sell its construction division, responsible for about 20% of the company's revenues and a large proportion of its headaches
22nd Jul 25, 10:37am
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Fletcher Building is now officially looking to sell its construction division, responsible for about 20% of the company's revenues and a large proportion of its headaches
The June quarter Consumers Price Index inflation figures coming out on Monday shouldn't deter the Reserve Bank from making another OCR cut in August - unless there's a nasty surprise
20th Jul 25, 7:14am
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The June quarter Consumers Price Index inflation figures coming out on Monday shouldn't deter the Reserve Bank from making another OCR cut in August - unless there's a nasty surprise