UPDATE: Weaker than expected jobs data in 4Q raises rate cut prospects

UPDATE: Weaker than expected jobs data in 4Q raises rate cut prospects
Rebecca Howard
(Updates throughout with market pricing, economist comment) By Rebecca Howard Feb. 7 (BusinessDesk) - Fewer people had jobs in the December quarter and wage inflation remained tepid, something that could increase the likelihood of a rate cut in New Zealand.  The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent in the three months ended Dec. 31, from a revised 4 percent in the September quarter, Statistics New Zealand said in its household labour force survey. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg had tipped the unemployment rate to...