New Zealand electronic card spending likely to slowdown
Aug 10, 2015 22:27 pm UTC| Commentary
After surging at the start of the year, electronic card spending has had a much slower run in the last few months. That includes June, when a 0.5% rise in the value of spending was entirely due to a lift in fuel prices....
US economic conditions continuing to improve
Aug 10, 2015 21:31 pm UTC| Commentary
The outperformer on the global stage has been the US economy, where economic conditions have continued to improve. This has been seen most clearly in the labour market, with non-farm employment growth averaging a robust...
Conditions in China are expected to remain sluggish
Aug 10, 2015 21:18 pm UTC| Commentary
Through June and July, Chinese equity markets plunged by more than 30%, with declines only arrested after significant policy support was introduced. At this stage, the impact of this volatility on the wider economy is...
New Zealand's real retail sales on Friday
Aug 10, 2015 20:55 pm UTC| Commentary
New Zealand retail activity had a storming start to the year, but electronic card spending data point to a sharp slowdown since. A 0.1% lift in both volumes and values are expected in the June quarter. This would add to...
Rising CPI to limit PBoC’s scope for rate cuts
Aug 10, 2015 20:34 pm UTC| Commentary
Given the supply shortage and the upcoming seasonal increases in pork demand, the pork prices will probably keep moving higher in the short term. Consequently, the CPI could be pushed higher. However, this pork cycle is...
BoJ’s 2% inflation target could take a long time to achieve
Aug 10, 2015 17:37 pm UTC| Commentary
The market is doubtful about whether the Bank of Japans 2% inflation target will be achievable around the first half of fiscal 2016. The key factors that determine CPI are aggregate wages (domestic pressure), US CPI...
Commodity prices tumble In July
Aug 10, 2015 16:49 pm UTC| Commentary
After a quiet couple of months, commodity prices moved back into the spotlight, with several prices plunging. Oil, industrial and precious metals prices in particular were hit hard over the last month, with most reaching...