NZ businesses more optimistic in September, shrugging off profit squeeze

NZ businesses more optimistic in September, shrugging off profit squeeze
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Oct. 4 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand businesses were more optimistic about the state of the economy and their own activity in the September quarter, even as their profits were squeezed by rising costs and an inability to hike prices.  A seasonally adjusted net 26 percent of firms surveyed in the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's quarterly survey of business opinion expect general business to improve, up from a net 19 percent in June. A net 26 percent experienced stronger trading activity in the past three months a...