NZ business confidence falls in May for first time in 7 months, National Bank says

NZ business confidence falls in May for first time in 7 months, National Bank says
By Hannah Lynch May 31 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand business confidence fell for the first time in seven months amid increased uncertainty about the global economy as Europe's debt crisis spreads, according to the National Bank Business Outlook. A net 27.1 percent of surveyed respondents expect better times for the economy in the year ahead, down 9 points from April, while a net 34.9 percent of firms predict their own activity will improve, down 2 points. That number remains above the historic average of a net 26 percent. All sectors excep...