NZ business optimism slips in February on global turmoil, local conditions

NZ business optimism slips in February on global turmoil, local conditions
Sophie Boot
By Sophie Boot Feb. 29 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand firms gave in to global unease in February, as falling export prices and turmoil in equity markets dampened confidence, with interest rate and inflation expectations down. A net 7.1 percent of firms were optimistic about the general economic outlook over the coming year, deteriorating from a net 23 percent in January, according to the ANZ Business Outlook. A net 25.5 percent of companies see their own activity expanding, down from 34.4 percent a month earlier, and a net 12 percent see pr...