Find financial news and analysis across NZ and Australia.
50 results for “economy”
While global volatility drags down the main NZX50 index, New Zealand's regional economies are staging a quiet recovery. Driven by strong primary sector returns and resilient local SMEs, the provinces are proving to be the real engine of the country's economic survival in 2026.
Australia's 2026 economic outlook remains cautious, with the IMF projecting 2.0% GDP growth and inflation hitting 4.0%. As the RBA prepares for further rate hikes, consumer sentiment has fallen to near-record lows.
New Zealand's Budget 2026 prioritises fiscal discipline and targeted relief, aiming for an earlier return to surplus. However, this cautious approach risks stalling broader economic growth at a time when businesses and workers need a real engine for recovery.
The RBNZ's May 2026 Financial Stability Report highlights a resilient financial system facing a slower recovery due to Middle East conflicts and 50-year high diesel prices.
Australia's economic growth slowed sharply to 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026, missing market expectations. Extreme weather disruptions and weak consumer spending dragged on activity, posing a policy dilemma for the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Australia has recorded its first trade deficit in goods and services since December 2017, driven by a surge in data centre equipment imports and high fuel costs. The March quarter current account deficit widened to A$27.1 billion, setting up a drag on upcoming GDP growth figures.
New Zealand financial markets are pricing in several 25 basis point OCR hikes as inflation remains at 3.10%, despite a significant divide among major bank economists regarding the timing of future increases.
The Australian Government is rolling out its $14.8 billion Strengthening Australia's Fuel Resilience Package to bolster long-term fuel security. However, consumers face immediate retail price rises as the temporary $2.5 billion fuel excise cut expires on June 30, 2026.
Westpac New Zealand's June 2026 Consumer Update shows household spending has slowed sharply, with per-person retail card spending down by 0.3% in May, prompting forecasts of three RBNZ OCR hikes to combat persistent inflation.
New Zealand's national median home value held flat in May 2026 at $808,187, reflecting a cautious market influenced by high interest rates. Property values remain 17% below their 2022 peak, with key regional centres showing mixed performance.
A study by the Reserve Bank of Australia dissects the relationship between profit margins, business mark-ups, and consumer prices. The findings challenge simplistic narratives about inflation, showing how margin adjustments are driven by complex shifts in costs and demand.
The inaugural State of Competition report identifies financial and insurance services as industries with the weakest competitive pressure, highlighting a 916% rise in insurance premiums since 2000.
New Zealand's manufacturing sector slowed significantly in April 2026, with the PMI dropping to 50.5. Escalating costs linked to Middle East conflict are impacting supply chains and new orders.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced a reduced $2.1 billion operating allowance for Budget 2026, down $300 million from previous estimates. The government will instead prioritise a $5.7 billion capital package to bolster infrastructure and essential services.
The Australian Wage Price Index rose by 0.8% in the March quarter 2026, bringing annual wage growth to 3.3%. This steady growth comes as the Reserve Bank of Australia maintains a high cash rate of 4.35% to combat persistent inflation.
New Zealand achieved a merchandise trade surplus of NZD 0.70 billion in March 2026, a significant turnaround from the previous year's deficit. Record exports of NZD 7.9 billion were driven by strong demand for precious metals and fruit.
The NZX 50 index closed at 13,175 points on Friday, May 8, 2026, marking a daily decline of 0.72%. Despite the fall, the market secured a 1.7% weekly gain and remains up 4.52% over the past year.
The Albanese government will announce a A$10.7 billion fuel and fertiliser security package in the May 12 Budget, featuring a 1 billion litre fuel reserve and a A$5 billion tax relief scheme for businesses.
The NZX50 index rose 1.1% on Friday to close at 13,039.2, ending a two-week losing streak. While Ryman Healthcare and Fletcher Building led the rally, record-low consumer confidence and a stagnant housing market continue to signal underlying economic fragility.
New Zealand business confidence fell to -10.6 in April 2026 as record fuel price hikes following Middle East conflict impacted profit expectations and inflation outlooks.
New Zealand business confidence plummeted to -10.6 in April 2026, a 43-point swing from March, as Middle East conflict and fuel supply disruptions trigger a sharp cost shock.
The S&P/ASX 200 index has recorded its tenth consecutive day of decline, closing at 8,652.1 points as Australia's inflation rate surged to 4.6% in March. The prolonged downturn, driven by energy supply shocks and RBA rate hike fears, marks the longest losing streak for the index since mid-2022.
The S&P/NZX 50's recent extreme volatility, driven by Middle East tensions and global AI pricing wars, proves that New Zealand's equity market is increasingly a proxy for global forces. Local investors must wake up to the reality that domestic fundamentals are being overshadowed by international events.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis expects banks to absorb the new NZ$209 million prudential levy, but New Zealand's concentrated financial market suggests otherwise. This editorial explores why everyday consumers, rather than highly profitable institutions, are likely to end up paying the bill.
Australia's unemployment rate climbed to 4.5% in April 2026, representing its highest level since late 2021. The softening of the job market has prompted expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia will hold interest rates steady.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has held the Official Cash Rate at 2.25% after an evenly split committee vote. However, a highly hawkish forward guidance track points to multiple rate hikes starting as early as July.
New Zealand exports climbed to a record $8.6 billion in April 2026, delivering a historic $1.9 billion trade surplus. Strong international demand for meat, gold, dairy, and crude oil offset rising global economic uncertainties.
New Zealand's seasonally adjusted retail electronic card spending dropped by 1.3% in April 2026, reversing March gains. The broad-based slowdown across consumables, hospitality, and fuel indicates that elevated living costs are significantly dampening household demand.
New Zealand retail spending via electronic cards dropped 1.3 percent in April 2026, as consumers cut back on consumables, hospitality, and fuel. The total value of electronic card transactions across all industries fell by $160 million.
New Zealand officials are monitoring fuel supplies as petrol prices rise 33.6% and diesel 94.9% following conflict in the Middle East. Global oil prices hit US$102.40 per barrel as supply chain risks grow.
Australian consumer confidence rose by 2.3 points to 66.4 for the week ending May 18, 2026. Despite the modest recovery, the index remains near historical lows, with only 13% of households considering it a good time to buy major items.
New Zealand's population grew by 0.8% in the year to March 2026, reaching 5,361,300. The increase was driven by a net migration gain of 24,300 and a significant slowdown in the departure of New Zealand citizens.
AUSTRAC has issued a major warning regarding a 45% surge in AI-assisted illicit flows, prompting lenders to implement automated fraud detection. New AML/CTF regulations are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, to combat increasingly sophisticated financial crime.
Air New Zealand has appointed Josh Emett as its new Culinary Ambassador to redesign premium dining experiences. The new menus will debut in October 2026 across long-haul flights from Auckland and North America.
Minister for Resources Madeleine King has announced that Australia will not implement gas export controls for Q3 2026, citing near-full storage levels and industry assurances.
Australia's annual inflation rate reportedly eased to 4.3% in May 2026, down from 4.6% in March. While fuel price pressures moderated, housing costs and underlying inflation remain above the Reserve Bank of Australia's target band.
The Australian dollar has weakened to 0.72415 as Middle East tensions drive oil prices above $100 per barrel. Domestically, the RBA has raised interest rates to 4.35% while consumer confidence has plummeted to near 50-year lows.
Australian consumer confidence has plunged to 64.1 points, marking its fourth-lowest level since 1973. The 3.1-point drop follows the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to raise the cash rate to 4.35%.
AFT Pharmaceuticals (AFT.NZ) enters its FY26 results period with a 39.69% annual gain and record half-year revenues. Technical indicators remain bullish with the price at NZ$3.66 trading above key moving averages.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 1.51% on Friday, wiping $50 billion in value as US-Iran hostilities pushed Brent crude oil above $100 a barrel. Major banks and energy stocks fell sharply amid renewed global inflation fears and concerns over future RBA interest rate hikes.
The OECD has identified structurally high electricity prices as a major barrier to New Zealand's economic growth, calling for urgent reforms to the energy market and firming capacity.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised the official cash rate to 4.35 per cent to combat 4.6 per cent inflation. Major banks including CBA, NAB, ANZ, and Westpac will pass on the full 0.25 per cent increase to mortgage holders.
ASX 200 futures indicate a higher open on Wednesday following record-high closes for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Easing oil prices and strong technology earnings from AMD and Palantir are driving global market optimism.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has increased the cash rate to 4.35% on May 5, 2026, marking the third consecutive hike this year as the board moves to combat persistent inflation and rising fuel costs.
New Zealand's Q1 2026 employment data is set for release on May 6, with analysts forecasting an unemployment rate between 5.4% and 5.5%.
Shares in Domino’s and Collins Foods have seen sharp declines as Australian inflation hits 4.6% and high interest rates squeeze household budgets, forcing a pullback in discretionary spending.
Australia's annual inflation rate jumped to 4.6% in March 2026, driven by a record 32.8% surge in fuel prices following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Markets now expect a 76% chance of an RBA rate hike in May.
Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (JDO.AX) faces a technical bearish trend but gains fundamental support following a 'Strong Buy' upgrade from Morgans. With a 3.15% NIM and growing SME loan book, the bank is navigating economic headwinds with increased provisions.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand held the OCR at 2.25% in April 2026 as annual inflation remained stuck at 3.1%. Rising electricity and fuel costs, exacerbated by Middle East tensions, have prompted a sharp upward revision of short-term inflation forecasts.
New Zealand's annual inflation rate remained elevated at 3.1% for the March 2026 quarter, exceeding the RBNZ's 1-3% target band. The central bank has revised its inflation peak forecast to 4.3% amid escalating global oil price shocks and a deeply split monetary policy committee.