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☆ New Zealand economy expands faster than expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Shoppers walk in front of a retail shop displaying a sale sign in central Wellington, New Zealand, July 3, 2017. Annual growth increased to 1.8%, Statistics New Zealand data showed, above expectations of 1.2%. "It's a victory for the New Zealand economy and for the people who work hard every single day to deliver high quality jobs," Finance Minister Grant Robertson told reporters. The handling of the economy has been a central theme in this year's election with the opposition criticising the government's role in record high inflation and the slowing economy. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has been forecasting the economy would slip into recession in the second half of 2023.

Persons: David Gray, Gabrielle, Grant Robertson, Lucy Craymer, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Statistics, New Zealand, U.S . Federal, Labour, New, Finance, ASB, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Thomson Locations: Wellington , New Zealand, WELLINGTON, Statistics New Zealand, Zealand, New Zealand

☆ S&P downgrades multiple US banks citing 'tough' operating conditions
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

S&P downgraded the ratings of Associated Banc-Corp (ASB.N) and Valley National Bancorp (VLY.O) on funding risks and a higher reliance on brokered deposits. It also downgraded UMB Financial Corp (UMBF.O), Comerica Bank (CMA.N) and Keycorp (KEY.N), citing large deposit outflows and prevailing higher interest rates. A sharp rise in interest rates is weighing on many U.S. banks' funding and liquidity, S&P said in a summarized note, adding that deposits held by Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC)-insured banks will continue to decline as long as the Federal Reserve is "quantitatively tightening." The rating agency also downgraded the outlook of S&T Bank and River City Bank to negative from stable on high commercial real estate (CRE) exposure among other factors. Reporting by Gokul Pisharody in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Akanksha Khushi; Editing by Varun H KOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Moody's, Bank of New York Mellon BK.N, Gokul, Akanksha Khushi, Varun Organizations: Global, National Bancorp, UMB Financial Corp, Comerica Bank, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Federal, T Bank, City Bank, Bank of New York Mellon, US Bancorp, Truist, Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Silicon, Bengaluru

☆ New Zealand central bank to hold rates in July and for rest of 2023: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Devayani Sathyan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The economy is forecast to weaken further as the impact of 525 basis points of RBNZ rate rises becomes more visible. All 25 economists polled by Reuters July 3-6 expected the RBNZ to hold the official cash rate (OCR) (NZINTR=ECI) at 5.50% on July 12. It would be the first time the RBNZ has not raised rates at a policy meeting in nearly two years. The central bank raised rates in May but signalled it was done tightening. Over 90% of economists pollled, 23 of 24, did not predict any changes to rates this quarter.

Persons: Jarrod Kerr, pollled, Nick Tuffley, Devayani Sathyan, Susobhan Sarkar, Hari Kishan, Ross Finley, Kim Coghill Organizations: Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Reuters, ANZ, ASB, Bank of New, Kiwibank, Westpac, Thomson Locations: BENGALURU, Bank of New Zealand

☆ New Zealand central bank to hold rates in July and for rest of 2023, Reuters poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Devayani Sathyan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The economy is forecast to weaken further as the impact of 525 basis points of RBNZ rate rises becomes more visible. All 25 economists polled by Reuters July 3-6 expected the RBNZ to hold the official cash rate (OCR) (NZINTR=ECI) at 5.50% on July 12. It would be the first time the RBNZ has not raised rates at a policy meeting in nearly two years. The central bank raised rates last month but signalled it was done tightening. Over 90% of economists pollled, 23 of 24, did not predict any changes to rates this quarter.

☆ New Zealand set to reveal bigger deficit in 'no frills' 2023-24 budget
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WELLINGTON, May 16 (Reuters) - New Zealand Labour government is set to reveal a worse budget bottom line and economic outlook on Thursday as it delivers what it calls a “no frills” 2023-24 budget to avoid fuelling inflation. Since coming into power, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has cut costly programmes and reiterated the government’s plans to return to “bread and butter issues”. They’ll see that’s what we’ve done in the budget,” Hipkins said at his weekly Monday press conference. The country was hit by two significant weather events at the start of the year that caused an estimated NZ$9 billion and NZ$14.5 billion in damage. “The Budget packages will likely be more targeted, appearing more fiscally responsible and prudent,” Smith added.

☆ RBNZ stuns market with bigger rate rise, more tightening seen
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The central bank's hawkish stance saw a number of economists revise their expectations, predicting it would increase the official cash rate (NZINTR=ECI) (OCR) to a peak of 5.5%. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand said the committee needed to increase the cash rate if it is to return inflation to its target of 1%-3%. Wednesday's decision comes in sharp contrast with the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to hold the cash rate steady. Two-year swaps jumped 15 bps to 5.11%, still well below the March peak of 5.53%, while the 90-day bank bill rate implied the official cash rate would peak at 5.5%. Kiwibank along with ANZ, Bank of New Zealand, ASB Bank and Capital Economics now expect the cash rate to peak at 5.5%.

☆ Inflation in New Zealand unlikely to fall below 3% till 2024, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailInflation in New Zealand unlikely to fall below 3% till 2024, economist saysNick Tuffley of Nick Tuffley ASB Bank says inflation in the country has been "surprisingly sticky."

☆ Shipbuilder Austal sinks on former U.S. executives' indictment for financial fraud
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 3 (Reuters) - Australian shipbuilder Austal Ltd (ASB.AX) sank as much as 8.4% to its lowest level in more than four years on Monday after the United States Department of Justice indicted three of its former U.S. employees on manipulating financial information. Austal, which builds ships for the U.S. Navy and is working on parts of the Virginia class submarines, plunged to its lowest level since October 25, 2018, and marked its worst intraday drop since January 17. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also filed civil charges against the three individuals, Austal said. Austal is down 17% so far this year, as of last close, compared with a 2.1% increase in the ASX All Ordinaries index (.AORD). Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia CheemaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ NZ cenbank hikes 50bps, flags more to come as inflation 'too high'; kiwi gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The RBNZ continues to expect the cash rate to peak at 5.5% in 2023, according to the monetary policy statement (MPS) accompanying the rate decision. That would mark the most aggressive policy tightening streak since the official cash rate was introduced in 1999. "While there are early signs of price pressure easing, core consumer price inflation remains too high, employment is still beyond its maximum sustainable level, and near-term inflation expectations remain elevated," the central bank said in a statement. The New Zealand dollar rose as high as $0.6246 after the decision, reflecting the hawkish tone of the statement, having traded as low as $0.6206 earlier. New Zealand's annual inflation is currently running near three-decade highs of 7.2%, well above the central bank's medium term target of 1%-3%.

☆ RBNZ to hike rates 50bps on Feb. 22, another 50bps due by mid-year
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Devayani Sathyan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The RBNZ has already raised rates by a total of 400 basis points since October 2021. The remaining five economists expected a second successive 75-basis point move at the Feb. 22 policy meeting. But nearly half of respondents, 45%, predicted a lower peak rate. Inflation was expected to fall to 5.1% this year and 2.6% in 2024, a Reuters poll showed last month. A recent RBNZ survey expected price pressures to slow to 3.30% in the next two years.

☆ ATP roundup: Jenson Brooksby rallies in Auckland
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

January 9 - Jenson Brooksby dropped a set but charged back to beat Italian Fabio Fognini 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of the ASB Classic on Monday in Auckland, New Zealand. Brooksby led the first set 5-3 before Fognini rallied to force a tiebreak. Fognini won six straight points to take that set, but from there it was all Brooksby, who finished the match with six aces and saved six of eight break points while converting six of 14. 5 seed Daniel Evans of Great Britain 7-5, 7-5 in the first round in Australia. Sixth seed Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia, seventh seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain and Great Britain's Jack Draper also won Monday.

☆ Venus out of Australian Open following injury in Auckland
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 7 (Reuters) - Seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams pulled out of this month's Australian Open due to injury, the organisers of the season's first Grand Slam said on Saturday. Williams was set to play her 22nd Australian Open after being awarded a wildcard to the Jan. 16-29 tournament. "Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an injury sustained at the ASB Classic in New Zealand," the Australian Open said in a tweet. Australia's Kimberly Birrell was awarded her wildcard place. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Tennis roundup: Novak Djokovic advances in Adelaide
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

January 5 - Top seed Novak Djokovic fended off an upset bid from World No. 64 Quentin Halys to win 7-6 (3) 7-6 (5) on Thursday at the Adelaide International 1 in Adelaide, Australia. 6 seed, Jannik Sinner of Italy, who posted a 7-6 (2), 6-4 win over home-country favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis. Sinner will meet American Sebastian Korda, who ousted Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-4. ASB ClassicTop seed Coco Gauff ousted fellow American Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals in Auckland, New Zealand.

"Ayan has established business contracts to sell Iranian oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars to buyers," in China, the United Arab Emirates and Europe, the statement says, adding that he then funneled the proceeds back to the Quds Force. The Treasury action will freeze any U.S. assets of those designated and generally bar Americans from dealing with them. Washington maintains sweeping sanctions on Iran and has looked for ways to increase pressure as efforts to resurrect a 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran have stalled. The 2015 agreement limited Iran's uranium enrichment activity to make it harder for Tehran to develop nuclear arms in return for lifting international sanctions. Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk Editing by Don Durfee and Howard GollerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. Sanctions Turkish Businessman It Says Brokered Oil Sales for Iran’s Military
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( Ian Talley | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +2 min

The Biden administration on Thursday levied sanctions against several Turkish businessmen and more than two dozen Turkish companies that officials said were selling oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars for Iran’s terror-listed military unit. Newsletter Sign-up WSJ | Risk and Compliance Journal Our Morning Risk Report features insights and news on governance, risk and compliance. PREVIEW Mr. Ayan owns or controls the sanctioned companies, including the Turkish energy conglomerate ASB Group, which launders proceeds from the oil sales into Europe and Asia under an agreement he allegedly reached in 2017 with Iranian officials, the Treasury said. Neither Mr. Ayan, contacted through ASB Group, nor the firm immediately responded to a request for comment. Daniel Roth, a research director for the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, said the Treasury’s action represented a “giant stride” toward thwarting the IRGC’s illicit oil exports.

☆ New Zealand's RBNZ seen raising rates by historic 75 bps
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Devayani Sathyan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Reuters Poll: RBNZ monetary policy outlookThe largest banks in the country - ANZ, ASB, Kiwi Bank, Bank of New Zealand and Westpac - expect a 75 bp hike on Wednesday, matching the recent pace of the U.S. Federal Reserve. "We are forecasting the OCR to peak at 5.0%, via another 75 bp hike in February on a 'let's just get it done' basis. If data cools more rapidly than expected the RBNZ could well slow the pace at that point." Rates were expected to peak at 4.75% and remain unchanged until the end of next year, according to the median view in the poll. According to the latest RBNZ survey, inflation is expected to ease only modestly over the coming year and will be higher than previously predicted.

☆ Growing number of Germans won't be left in dark with blackout courses
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A volunteer of the German charity organization ASB explains how to react to emergency situations in Berlin, Germany November 10, 2022. Looking to be the heroes in a real-life blackout, a growing number of Germans are turning to citizens' courses to learn how to act if they find themselves plunged into darkness. The German aid and welfare organisation offers free-of-charge courses on the subject on behalf of the BBK government agency for civil protection and disaster assistance. Germany's national network agency has warned of possible gas rationing this winter after Russian energy imports to Germany plunged following the invasion of Ukraine. Reporting by Martin Schlicht and Petra Haverkampf; Writing by Rachel More; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ New Zealand Q3 inflation smashes expectations, boosts case for hawkish hikes
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Annual inflation ran at 7.2% in the third quarter, sitting just below a three-decade high, Statistics New Zealand said in a statement on Tuesday. Inflation slowed slightly from 7.3% in the second quarter but far outpaced expectations in a Reuters poll for a 6.6% annual rise. "With the RBNZ having the inflation bit between its teeth, all options are likely to remain on the table." Smith said they had changed their OCR forecast and were now expecting a 75-basis-point rate hike in November, and two further 50 bp rate hikes in February and April 2023. Statistics New Zealand added that annual non-tradable inflation - products made in New Zealand for domestic consumption - rose 6.6%, the highest since it began tracking that data in June 2002.

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