Find financial news and analysis across NZ and Australia.
50 results for “inflation”
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.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand faces renewed scrutiny as Q1 2026 inflation data shows annual price growth holding at 3.10%, exceeding the bank's target band.
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 Reserve Bank of New Zealand's latest survey shows one-year inflation expectations have surged to 3.41%, the highest in years, signaling a likely OCR hike in July.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is expected to hold the Official Cash Rate at 2.25% on May 27, 2026. However, rising inflation expectations and a 3.1% annual CPI are driving intense debate within the Monetary Policy Committee over future rate hikes.
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.
A crucial week lies ahead for global markets as May inflation figures in the US are forecast to rise to 4.2%, and the European Central Bank moves toward a 25 basis point rate hike.
Australia's national minimum wage will rise by 4.75% from July 1, 2026, marking the first time the weekly rate has exceeded A$1,000.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
The Australian share market experienced a significant downturn on Monday, with the ASX 200 losing over A$30 billion in value. Rising oil prices and a global bond sell-off have intensified concerns over persistent inflation and high interest rates.
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 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.
National Australia Bank has raised its variable home loan rates by 0.25% following the RBA's decision to lift the cash rate to 4.35%. The move marks the third consecutive increase this year, adding significant costs to Australian mortgages.
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 house prices are forecast to fall by 2% in 2026 as consumer confidence reaches a three-year low. Despite a marginal monthly rise in April, high inflation expectations and a retreat by property investors continue to weigh on the market.
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 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.
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 New Zealand Exchange's benchmark NZX50 index gained 0.4% on Monday, driven by positive performances from Auckland Airport, Air New Zealand, and Contact Energy. The lift comes amid broader economic challenges, including elevated inflation and high fuel costs.
ANZ Group Holdings shares fell 4.3% last week as the banking sector faces a new economic landscape shaped by the RBA's rate hike to 4.35% and federal budget reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax.
New Zealand's housing market slowed significantly in April 2026, with national sales volumes falling 7.9% annually and the median price dropping to $775,000. Rising inventory levels and anticipated interest rate hikes are contributing to a shift in market dynamics.
Coles Group reported a 3.1% increase in total sales to $10.7 billion for the third quarter of 2026, supported by a 24.8% jump in eCommerce revenue and 4.0% growth in supermarkets.
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.
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 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.
New Zealand's national median property value rose slightly to $809,101 in April, but a 0.1% decline in Auckland and Wellington highlights a widening regional divide as the RBNZ maintains a hawkish stance.
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.
New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis has defended a new $209 million prudential levy introduced in Budget 2026. Willis expressed confidence that major banks will absorb the regulatory costs rather than pass them on to consumers.
The S&P/ASX 200 index experienced a significant 1.62% rebound to close at 8,731.70 points on Friday, May 29, 2026. This surge, driven by mining and banking gains, was fueled by hopes of a tentative 60-day US-Iran ceasefire extension.
New Zealand's Budget Economic and Fiscal Update 2026 projects an operating surplus by the 2028/29 fiscal year, one year earlier than previously forecast. The improved outlook is driven by increased tax revenue and spending restraint.
New Zealand mortgage holders face rising costs over the next six to 12 months, despite the RBNZ maintaining the OCR at 2.25%. Wholesale interest rates are climbing, prompting a significant shift toward two-year fixed rates as borrowers seek repayment certainty.
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.
The 2026-27 Australian Federal Budget introduces major reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax while providing a new $250 tax offset for workers. Treasurer Jim Chalmers aims to address housing affordability and intergenerational equity through a $31.5 billion deficit plan.
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.
Auckland's median house price dipped 0.1% to just over $1.04 million in April 2026, contrasting with a 0.1% national increase. High inventory and looming OCR hikes continue to weigh on NZ's largest property market.
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.
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.