Resilient heading into global uncertainty - Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion, October 2011, media release
New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (Inc)
Media release, 4 October 2011
Embargoed until 10am, Tuesday 4 October 2011
NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion
Resilient heading into global uncertainty
NZIER’s Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) shows steady economic activity in the September 2011 quarter. Firms’ experienced trading activity is broadly unchanged (+2% from +3%) on a seasonally adjusted basis. This is consistent with annual economic growth of around 1.5%.
“Activity was stable in the September quarter. Retail and services sectors picked up, but manufacturing and construction slowed. Canterbury is rebounding from the earthquake disruption, but the rest of the country is flat. Retailers are expecting a bumper end to 2011, which may be attributable to the Rugby World Cup”.
“The survey shows a resilient economy heading into the latest phase of global economic uncertainty. However, most of the survey responses were received before the RBNZ’s interest rate announcement, our credit downgrades and the rapid deterioration in global sentiment. We expect that firms may now be more nervous than these results indicate” said Shamubeel Eaqub, Principal Economist at NZIER.
Canterbury rebounding
Canterbury is rebounding from the earthquake disruptions. Activity is picking up, particularly for retailers and builders. The services sector, which was hit hardest, continues to struggle. Investment intentions have soared in Canterbury, to replace lost capital. Building investment intentions have surged, but they are slowing elsewhere in the country. Firms remain cautious about expanding while demand remains patchy.
Contained inflation
Easing costs and pricing intentions suggest inflation will be contained over coming quarters. There is emerging inflation in the construction sector, with prices rising for the first time in three years. This may be related to the Canterbury rebuild.
Flat economy and global risks will keep interest rates on hold
Outside of the construction sector, inflationary pressures are subdued. Activity indicators are also flat outside of Canterbury. Heightened global tensions have already affected Australian business confidence, but Kiwi firms are still surprisingly optimistic. The RBNZ is clearly mindful of these risks and the OCR is likely to stay unchanged at 2.5% for some time.
For further information, please contact:
Shamubeel Eaqub
Principal Economist
DDI (04) 470 1810
Main (04) 472 1880
Mobile 021 573 218