Migration key to rates rises
The strength of the surge in net immigration will influence both the outlook for interest rates and how long loan-to-value ratio curbs remain in place, says Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Grant Spencer.
The strength of the surge in net immigration will influence both the outlook for interest rates and how long loan-to-value ratio curbs remain in place, says Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Grant Spencer.
The contrary view to Labour's plan for monetary policy and savings goes broadly like this: It is a cute idea but it won't work, writes Brian Fallow.
Some economists are interpreting talk by Governor Graeme Wheeler that the Reserve Bank may intervene in the foreign exchange market.
What we got from Labour's finance spokesman David Parker on Tuesday was a much broader economic policy than that would imply, writes Brian Fallow.
Mortgage-lending rules introduced last October appear to have helped slow the speed of rising house prices, the Reserve Bank said yesterday.
If Labour finance spokesman David Parker is proposing a job swap with the Reserve Bank Governor he should say so, writes Fran O'Sullivan.
How fast and how far interest rates rise will depend in part on the exchange rate, says the Reserve Bank.
New Zealand consumer confidence rose in April as Kiwis became more confident about their own financial position, giving them greater enthusiasm for buying major household items.
Another rise in the official cash rate next week remains a done deal, economists say, despite weaker-than-expected inflation in the March quarter.
New Zealand's inbound migration rose to a 10-year high last month, as China overtook the UK to become the biggest source of net migrants for the first time in a decade.
There's nothing like an interest rate increase and the promise of many more to focus the mind.
Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler has signalled an aggressive, front-loaded start to the interest rate cycle now under way.
Mortgage brokers are urging borrowers to fix the interest rates on their loans and say it's not too late despite an expected increase in the official cash rate tomorrow.
The impact of the Reserve Bank's curbs on mortgage lending at high loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) on the housing market has been pretty modest so far.
Savers should expect to feel some relief from next week with economists predicting short-term deposit rates to head up in line with a predicted increase in the official cash rate.
The economy is not suddenly perfect just because the economic cycle has turned for the better, writes Liam Dann. There is still serious work to be done,
The OCR has been left unchanged this morning, making a March hike now 'a near certainty' according to one economist.
The NZIER shadow board believes the Reserve Bank should raise the official cash rate when it reviews it tomorrow.
Every time the economists' predictions have been quashed by an unexpected event that meant interest rates didn't rise much, or at all, writes Bernard Hickey.
Banks are showing more interest in making low-deposit home loans after cutting back hard before Christmas, but it is mainly investors who are taking advantage.
National house prices rose $17,475 last month to reach a $425k median. But are falling sales numbers a sign that new loan rules are starting to bite? (with new infographic)
The Reserve Bank has left the official cash rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent. Interest rates are expected to increase early next year.
The NZIER shadow board believes the Reserve Bank should leave the official cash rate on hold at 2.5 per cent when it reviews it tomorrow.
Editorial: The Reserve Bank is sailing on largely uncharted sails with its restrictions on low-deposit home loans.
The construction sector has welcomed the Reserve Bank's decision to exempt new home builds from low deposit loan restrictions, but one economist has warned of the dangers of watering down the policy.