NZ third quarter inflation higher than expected on housing-related costs

NZ third quarter inflation higher than expected on housing-related costs
Rebecca Howard
By Rebecca Howard Oct. 17 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand consumer prices were higher than expected in the third quarter as housing-related costs continued to increase. The kiwi dollar rose above 72 US cents for the first time since Oct. 4 and recently traded at 71.93 cents from 71.75 cents immediately before the release.  The consumers price index rose 0.5 in the three months ended Sept. 30 while annual inflation was 1.9 percent, Statistics New Zealand said. Economists had expected inflation to be 0.4 percent in the three months ended...