The European Central Bank beat market expectations by announcing a large and open-ended asset-buying programme designed to pump hundreds of billions into a sagging euro zone economy.
Finance Minister Bill English continues to claim credit for the responsible management of the Government's finances while admitting there is a challenge coming from less revenue, over which he has much less control.
Skilled Otago workers were constantly in demand, particularly in Canterbury, Otago Southland Employers Association chief executive John Scandrett said yesterday.
Mighty River Power not increasing its headline energy prices for the third year in a row made nonsense of claims made by Opposition parties during the election campaign, Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms said yesterday.
A mixed reporting season was expected for the New Zealand listed retail sector, not helped by the late start to summer, Forsyth Barr broker Andrew Rooney said.
South Island employment confidence has taken a hit due to a variety of reasons, including the lower Fonterra payout and a perceived lack of job opportunities.
Inflation is likely to have fallen below 1% in the year ended December and a flat outcome of 0% is expected for the three months ended December, as lower oil and food prices make their mark.
Dairy production is likely to slow below previous forecasts as parts of Canterbury and Otago dry off and water restrictions kick in, ASB rural economist Nathan Penny says.
Households should be feeling the benefit of continuing low food prices, complementing the ongoing fall in fuel prices, according to the latest Statistics New Zealand data.
There would be no surprise if listed New Zealand retailers started issuing profit downgrades following the release yesterday of flat electronic card transactions data, Craigs Investment Partners broker Greg Easton said.
A more favourable exchange rate and strong demand, particularly for beef, meant an improvement for meat export returns in the three months to December, Beef and Lamb New Zealand figures show.
Speculation the New Zealand and Australian currencies may reach parity is causing volatility in the Australian currency as the country faces a slew of confidence-affecting issues.
New Zealand's agritechnology exports are worth about $1.2 billion annually and have the potential to grow to about $1.8 billion, research out yesterday shows.
A comparison of between New Zealand's agritechnology exports and its key competitors shows New Zealand is underperforming in size but is showing good growth.
The listed property sector had a stellar 2014, up 25.4% and outperforming the NZX50 which was up 19.2%, Forsyth Barr broker Andrew Rooney says.
Kiwibank has opened what is expected to be a bidding contest for mortgage business with a cut to its two-year fixed interest rate.
Investors need to make a psychological switch in the way they think of receiving returns on their investments, as interest rates look likely to stay low for at least the next five years.
New Zealand investors face a quiet week for data this week. The main focus will continue to be on the strength of the New Zealand dollar against main trading partners.
The ASB Commodity Price Index started the year with a fall in all denominations, mainly due to the dipping sheep/beef index.
Dunedin North MP David Clark faces a testing year ahead has the new Labour caucus members have 12 months to prove themselves to leader Andrew Little.
