Shares on Wall St advanced overnight, helped by better-than-expected results from Citigroup and expectations the Federal Reserve would further ease monetary policy.

The Government is claiming credit for low price rises, saying people have more money in their pockets on the back on low inflation and increasing wages.

Latest inflation stats show a 1.1pc rise in the CPI for the September quarter, which means an annual inflation rate of 1.5pc.

New Zealand probably recorded the tamest inflation in a decade in the third quarter, helped by a tepid economy and a rapidly appreciating currency.

The economic recovery is proving 'brittle, uncertain, and full of surprises', Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard says.

The New Zealand dollar held above 75 US cents as the greenback rallied after China boosted the level of cash that six of its biggest banks need to keep on hand.

The New Zealand dollar is nearing 75 US cents after share markets around the world rallied overnight.

The New Zealand dollar fell from a 10-month high as a pick-up in American housing data polished the appeal of the beaten-down greenback.

Should savers expect to live off their incomes?

I feel like a priest who has been wrestling with his belief in god...

Economists believe GDP stats due out this week will show the NZ economy has expanded less that the Reserve Bank forecasted, confirming that interest rates are on hold for now.

A weakening recovery and the Christchurch earthquake have prompted the Reserve Bank to leave official interest rates on hold this morning at 3 per cent.

If Alan Bollard's interest rate decision today had needed a theme song, it would have been the Rolling Stones' "Time is on my side."