Find financial news and analysis across NZ and Australia.
32 results for “economy”
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.
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.
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.
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.
The New Zealand government has confirmed it will abolish the final-year fee-free university scheme, effective after the 2026 cohort, citing high costs and low impact on equity.
Southland property prices hit a record average of $617,879 in April 2026, marking a 17.9% annual increase as housing stock fell by 21.3%.
Westpac has announced a statutory net profit of A$3.4 billion for the half-year ended 31 March 2026. The bank maintained its interim dividend at A$0.77 per share despite signs of slowing mortgage growth in April.
New Zealand's unemployment rate fell to 5.3% in the first quarter of 2026, outperforming economist expectations of 5.4%. While employment rose by 0.2%, the participation rate saw a slight decline to 70.4%.
Westpac Banking Corporation reported a statutory net profit of A$3.4 billion for the first half of 2026, as strong lending growth was offset by a decline in net interest margins to 1.89%.
National Australia Bank has reported a 19.3% fall in statutory net profit to A$2.75 billion for the first half of 2026. The result was impacted by a A$949 million software capitalisation charge and a A$300 million increase in forward-looking credit provisions.
Bank of New Zealand has reported a statutory net profit of $494 million for the half-year ending March 31, 2026, a 37.9 per cent decrease driven by a $253 million software accounting adjustment.
A surge in retail investing is being driven by New Zealand's Gen Z, with 30% starting in early adulthood compared to just 6% of Baby Boomers. Despite economic pressures and an 18% youth unemployment rate in Auckland, fintech platforms like Sharesies are empowering a new generation of Kiwis to take control of their financial futures.
New data shows Australia's expanded Home Guarantee Scheme has fueled a 6.7% price jump in lower-end properties, significantly outpacing the broader market's 3.6% growth.
The ASX 200 ended its longest losing streak since 2018 on May 1, 2026, rising 0.74% to 8,729.80 points as BHP and Rio Tinto led a materials sector recovery.
New Zealand's annual inflation rate remained at 3.1% in the March 2026 quarter, exceeding the RBNZ’s target band and market expectations. Rising electricity and local rates continue to drive domestic costs.
Woolworths Group reported Q3 sales of A$18.10 billion, beating expectations, but shares dropped nearly 10% as the company warned that rising fuel costs and geopolitical tensions will impact profit margins.