1+ hour, 43+ min ago   (319+ words) The Westpac NZ Economics Team's flagship document covering the outlook for the New Zealand economy, fiscal policy, the global economy, financial markets, and the primary sector. Read full report here (PDF 3MB) The economy appears to have weathered the disruptions stemming…...

5+ day, 14+ hour ago   (630+ words) Westpac IQ - Employment remains resilient, but the labour market is gradually cooling A short video update from the Westpac Economics team. July’s labour force survey was softer than expected, with employment falling 15,800 and unemployment edging up to 4.5%, although the increase…...

5+ day, 19+ hour ago   (299+ words) AI-related investment and US fiscal incontinence add to the existing tendency for the global rates structure to average higher than pre-pandemic. Expect more US government action to contain debt-servicing costs. The scale of this greater investment call on global savings…...

6+ day, 17+ hour ago   (418+ words) Most commodities fell in July with our broadest commodities index declining -1.8%mth as the geopolitical risk premium that had built through much of the year continued to unwind. Thermal coal led the declines, falling -10.2%mth, while aluminium fell -8.2%, lithium (spodumene)…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago   (573+ words) Westpac IQ Consumer Sentiment improves but remains weak A short video update from the Westpac Economics team. The Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index rose 6% in August, as mortgage holders gained more clarity on the rates outlook and their finances…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago   (227+ words) Westpac IQ Consumer sentiment improves on rates reprieve The Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index rose 6% to 88.9 in August from 83.9 in July. - Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index up 6% to 88.9 in August. - Overall result is still pessimistic and below last…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago   (347+ words) Westpac IQ July labour force preview June’s bounce in employment was matched by firmer labour supply, leaving unemployment broadly steady. That looks consistent with balance for now, but we still expect slack to emerge later this year. The recent sharp…...

2+ week, 19+ hour ago   (585+ words) Westpac IQ RBA on hold, warns hikes still possible A video with Chief Economist Luci Ellis on the RBA Board decision and the economic outlook. Cash rate on hold and the RBA gets more specific about the conditions under which…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago   (307+ words) The housing market might be entering a short-term ‘air pocket’ but greater turbulence does not imply a crash. Since the Federal Budget in May, alarmist predictions about the housing market consequences of the announced tax changes have become commonplace. Recent…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago   (608+ words) Westpac IQ Japan's new normal is higher rates A short video update from the Westpac Economics team. Inflation has changed the behaviour of firms and households. Participation has helped offset the drag from an ageing population, while labour shortages continue…...