Optimism over household finances at decade high

Optimism over household finances at decade high
Rebecca Howard
Consumer confidence completely reversed this year’s decline in the December quarter as people's optimism about their own finances hit the highest level since 2009.The latest Westpac McDermott Miller survey showed a net 15.5 percent of respondents said they expected to be better off in a year’s time versus a net 13.2 percent in September.Overall, the consumer confidence index rose 6.8 points in December to 109.9. A reading above 100 indicates optimists outnumber pessimists. The long-run average is 111.1.“Underlying the turnaround in household se...

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Updated: RBNZ turns more dovish
Economy

Updated: RBNZ turns more dovish

The latest forecast imply two more rate cuts to come. 

RBNZ cuts to 3%, sees cash rate reaching 2.5%
Economy

RBNZ cuts to 3%, sees cash rate reaching 2.5%

RBNZ cuts by 25bps but thought about 50bps. 

Government keeps AA+ credit rating, Fitch warns to keep ‘culture of fiscal responsibility
Economy

Government keeps AA+ credit rating, Fitch warns to keep ‘culture of fiscal responsibility

The Government has kept its AA+ credit rating from Fitch, one of the big three ratings agencies – but the agency warned that a slackening culture of fiscal responsibility, a more severe housing market correction, or an unemployment spike could see the rating reduced in future.The...

Staff reporters 18 Aug 2025