New Zealand’s powerful economic upswing appears to have rumbled on through the first quarter of 2014 – although there are some question marks in the detail. Last week the NZIER’s Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion gave a rough indication of the state of economic activity in the March quarter, well in advance of Statistics New Zealand’s official figures. Judging by the results of the survey, the economy is still humming along.

When asked about their own activity levels, a net 23% of firms reported better times over the last three months and a net 35% expected further improvement over the next quarter – both responses were more upbeat than last quarter. When questioned about the overall economy, a net 52% of firms expected business conditions in general to improve over the next six months, unchanged from a 20-year high reached for this question in the December survey.

This leaves us quite comfortable with our forecast of 1.1% GDP growth in the March quarter.

While the status of the overall economy is very clear, there are question marks around the housing market and consumer spending. Housing market turnover and house price inflation dropped sharply in the wake of the Reserve Bank’s restrictions on mortgage lending, which were introduced in October last year. We have been looking for a shortterm bounce in the market, as the initial shock of the mortgage restrictions wears off.

All information contained on this website is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. However, the information is selective and neither Westpac nor any other company in the Westpac Group have verified the information, which may not be complete or accurate for your purposes. Those companies make no representation or warranty of any kind as to the accuracy or completeness of the information. It is general information only and should not be considered as a comprehensive statement on any matter and should not be relied upon as such. Neither Westpac nor any other company in the Westpac Group nor any of their directors, employees and associates guarantees the security of this website, gives any warranty of reliability or accuracy nor accepts any responsibility arising in any other way including by reason of negligence for, errors in, or omissions from, the information on this website and does not accept any liability for any loss or damage, however caused, as a result of any person relying on any information on the website or being unable to access this website. This disclaimer is subject to any applicable contrary provisions of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act and Trade Practices Act.

Recommended Content


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD steady below 1.0800 after US PCE meets expectations

EUR/USD steady below 1.0800 after US PCE meets expectations

EUR/USD remains depressed below 1.0800 after soft French inflation data, amid minimal volatility and thin liquidity on Good Friday. The pair barely reacted to US PCE inflation data, with the Greenback shedding some pips.  Fed Chair Jerome Powell set to speak ahead of the weekly close.

EUR/USD News

GBP/USD hovers around 1.2620 in dull trading

GBP/USD hovers around 1.2620 in dull trading

GBP/USD trades sideways above 1.2600 amid a widespread holiday restraining action across financial markets. Investors took a long weekend ahead of critical United States employment data next week. Fed Chair Powell coming up next.

GBP/USD News

Gold price sits at all-time highs above $2,230

Gold price sits at all-time highs above $2,230

Gold price holds near a fresh all-time high at $2,236 in thinned trading amid the Easter Holiday. Most major world markets remain closed, although the United States published core PCE inflation, the Federal Reserve’s favorite inflation gauge.

Gold News

Jito price could hit $6 as JTO coils up inside this bullish pattern

Jito price could hit $6 as JTO coils up inside this bullish pattern

Jito (JTO) price has been on an uptrend since forming a local bottom in early January. Since then, JTO has revisited the key swing point formed in early December, suggesting the bulls’ intention to move higher.

Read more

Key events in developed markets next week

Key events in developed markets next week

Next week, the main focus will be inflation and the labour market in the Eurozone. We expect services inflation to be impacted by the easter effect, while the unemployment rate to be unchanged.

Read more

Majors

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures