Business confidence higher in 1Q but firms’ own activity tepid

Firms remain cautious about hiring and investing, with a net 17% reducing staff in the March quarter. (Image: Getty)

Tue, 08 Apr 2025

Business confidence lifted in the first quarter of 2025, but firms’ own trading activity continues to suggest weak demand.A net 23% of firms expect general economic conditions to improve over the coming months on a seasonally adjusted basis, up from a net 9% in the prior quarter, according to the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s (NZIER) quarterly survey of business opinion (QSBO). However, a net 21% of firms reported a decline in activity in their own business in the March quarter. That was a slight improvement comp...

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