Silver linings in otherwise damp earnings season

Silver linings in otherwise damp earnings season
The latest earnings season had something for everyone. (Image: BusinessDesk/Dan Brunskill)
Paul McBeth
Earnings season delivered a mixed bag to suit both bulls and bears with the only certainty to emerge is that the outlook remains uncertain. Courier and information management company Freightways remained a good bellwether stock for the local economy, delivering a small increase in first-half profit due to its recent Australian courier acquisition, and airing a word of caution about New Zealand’s slowing economy. That was a similar theme for local transport firm Move Logistics, which struggled with rising costs and a shortage of drive...

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Manufacturing activity has contracted for 22 consecutive months
Economy

Manufacturing activity has contracted for 22 consecutive months

New Zealand’s manufacturing sector contracted in December, marking the first time in the survey’s history that all 12 months were in contraction. The seasonally adjusted Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) for December was 45.9, up from 45.2 in November but still well below...

Rebecca Howard 17 Jan 2025
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Bank economists expect OCR rises in 2026

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Economy

Westpac records soft December retail spending

Despite a slight lift, Westpac data points to a soft end of year for household spending.Westpac’s retail tracker, released on Thursday, showed spending on Westpac-issued credit and debit cards was up 2% in December compared to last year.  Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod...

Staff reporters 16 Jan 2025
Price shakeup for cigarette brand
Retail

Price shakeup for cigarette brand

Cigarette prices typically go up each year. Not in this case.

Oliver Lewis 16 Jan 2025