Weekly Digest – 31 January 2024
Getting caught up on a week that got away? Here’s your weekly digest of some stories relevant to business and the economy.
Inflation, tax and interest rates: Economists share 2024 predictions
Inflation, job insecurity and interest rates that have gone through the roof have been plaguing New Zealanders over the last few years, but could 2024 finally bring some respite? Kiwibank senior economist Mary Jo Vergara and Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan discuss what the economic outlook is for this year.
Inflation slows to lowest rate in more than two years
Inflation has slowed to its lowest level in more than two years, but domestic price pressures remain stubborn and will slow any move to cut interest rates.
NZ ‘in recession territory’ – service, manufacturing sector surveys show
The services sector is contracting with employment recording its weakest month since February 2022. The BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance of Services Index (PSI) fell to 48.8 last month, which is down 2.3 points from November, and well below the long-term average of 53.4 for the survey.
Americans are falling in love with NZ wool
New Zealand wool is finding its feet in the US market.
Why ‘boring’ investing trends are back
The “Cooking the Books” podcast discusses the return of “boring” investing trends, along with other types of investments such as bonds, and even savings accounts.
Workplaces must work smarter, not harder
Nat Milne hopes to improve New Zealand’s woeful workplace productivity performance with a new training programme for workers, developed in Sweden, that utilises neuroscience.
Post-election uncertainty still hanging’: House prices fall in December, slow growth ahead – REINZ report
House prices across New Zealand fell in December, finishing off a year of recovery on a weak note, according to the latest figures from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ).
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