Recession ahead? Business confidence tanks

Recession ahead? Business confidence tanks
Retailers are most worried about what the future holds. (Image: Getty)
Staff reporters
The ANZ Bank has recorded a very sharp slump in business sentiment in response to the turmoil expected from the omicron outbreak and is warning that avoiding a recession looks “increasingly difficult” because of spiralling inflation.The bank’s February New Zealand Business Outlook describes business confidence as “tanking”, compared to December, although as is often the case, firms’ outlook for the economy as a whole is much worse than expectations for their own business.Headline business confidence was &ldqu...

More Economy

RBNZ upbeat about interest in governor role
Economy

RBNZ upbeat about interest in governor role

Expressions of interest to follow on from Adrian Orr closed on Friday

Rebecca Howard 13 Jun 2025
Finance Minister says RBNZ could have 'pulled its socks up'
Economy

Finance Minister says RBNZ could have 'pulled its socks up'

Willis says RBNZ did not manage an OIA request about Adrian Orr well.

Rebecca Howard 12 Jun 2025
Orr resigned over funding disagreement
Economy

Orr resigned over funding disagreement

Board had conceded a lesser amount of funding was fine. 

Staff reporters 11 Jun 2025
NZ dollar targeting 61 US cents in short term
Economy

NZ dollar targeting 61 US cents in short term

The kiwi was trading at 60.20 US cents early Monday.

Rebecca Howard 09 Jun 2025