Services activity jumps in January; coronavirus yet to bite

Services activity jumps in January; coronavirus yet to bite
Rebecca Howard
New orders boosted services sector activity to its highest level in almost two years last month, but covid-19 has yet to bite. The BNZ-BusinessNZ performance of services index lifted to a seasonally adjusted 57.1 in January, up five points from December and the highest since March 2018. The long-term average is 54.4, with a reading above 50 indicating expansion.  BNZ senior economist Doug Steel said he hadn’t expected the impact from covid-19 and the policy response to that to show up yet as “general awareness of the virus didn’t really r...

More Economy

NZIER's Shadow Board predicts RBNZ will hold, with one exception
Economy

NZIER's Shadow Board predicts RBNZ will hold, with one exception

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s Shadow Board expects the Reserve Bank of NZ to hold the official cash rate at 5.5% for another year, although one member did call for a hike this week. “While inflation pressures are still high and the labour market remains strong,...

Rebecca Howard 08 Jul 2024
RBNZ could hint cuts may come sooner
Economy

RBNZ could hint cuts may come sooner

The RBNZ will announce its latest decision at 2pm on Wednesday. 

Rebecca Howard 08 Jul 2024
Briscoe Group says tax changes will hit FY net profit by $7.4m
Retail

Briscoe Group says tax changes will hit FY net profit by $7.4m

New legislation affects depreciation on commercial buildings.  

Rebecca Howard 05 Jul 2024
Core Crown tax revenue higher than expected in May accounts
Economy

Core Crown tax revenue higher than expected in May accounts

Government tax intake is $1.57 billion higher than forecast, according to the latest Crown accounts.Treasury released the interim financial statements for the 11 months ended May 31 on Wednesday morning, which showed core Crown tax revenue was $111.12b.This was 1.4% more than the...

Staff reporters 04 Jul 2024