New Zealand Business Mood Slumps to Near 2-Year Low

2026-03-31 00:50 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index slumped to 32.5 in March 2026 from 59.2 in the previous month, marking the weakest reading since July 2024, as companies grew more cautious over potential fallout from the Middle East shock.

Firms’ own activity outlook plummeted (39.3 vs 52.6 in February), and past activity weakened (17.5 vs 23.4).

Forward-looking indicators deteriorated broadly: export intentions (15.2 vs 19.0), profit expectations (19.7 vs 31.8), and investment intentions (14.5 vs 24.8).

Also, employment intentions slid (9.4 vs 22.3) and wage growth expectations eased (2.74% vs 3.01%).

Pricing intentions rose (60.3 vs 53.3), while cost pressures moderated slightly (84.7 vs 79.4).

Credit availability turned negative (-3.3 vs 7.5), highlighting tighter financial conditions, and inflation expectations edged up (3.08% vs 2.93%).

Sector sentiment also softened, including residential construction intention (35.3 vs 41.4) and commercial construction (42.1 vs 45.6).



News Stream
New Zealand Business Mood Slumps to Near 2-Year Low
New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index slumped to 32.5 in March 2026 from 59.2 in the previous month, marking the weakest reading since July 2024, as companies grew more cautious over potential fallout from the Middle East shock. Firms’ own activity outlook plummeted (39.3 vs 52.6 in February), and past activity weakened (17.5 vs 23.4). Forward-looking indicators deteriorated broadly: export intentions (15.2 vs 19.0), profit expectations (19.7 vs 31.8), and investment intentions (14.5 vs 24.8). Also, employment intentions slid (9.4 vs 22.3) and wage growth expectations eased (2.74% vs 3.01%). Pricing intentions rose (60.3 vs 53.3), while cost pressures moderated slightly (84.7 vs 79.4). Credit availability turned negative (-3.3 vs 7.5), highlighting tighter financial conditions, and inflation expectations edged up (3.08% vs 2.93%). Sector sentiment also softened, including residential construction intention (35.3 vs 41.4) and commercial construction (42.1 vs 45.6).
2026-03-31
New Zealand Business Sentiment Falls to 4-Month Low
New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index eased to 59.2 in February 2026 from 64.1 in the prior month, the lowest since last October, though sentiment remained solidly positive. Forward indicators softened, including export intentions (19.0 vs 20.4 in January), profit expectations (31.8 vs 32.9), pricing intentions (53.3 vs 56.5), and investment intentions (24.8 vs 28.3). Cost pressures intensified (79.4 vs 77.8), while credit availability fell sharply (7.5 vs 16.3). Employment intentions were broadly steady (22.3 vs 22.4), and wage growth expectations edged up (3.01% vs 2.82%). Firms’ own activity outlook was little changed (52.6 vs 51.6), while past activity weakened (23.4 vs 26.2). Inflation expectations rose to 2.93% from 2.77%, the highest since April 2024. Sector data were mixed, with residential construction intentions easing markedly (41.4 vs 58.8), while commercial construction remained subdued (45.6 vs 44.7).
2026-02-26
New Zealand Business Sentiment Falls to 3-Month Low
New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index dropped to 64.1 in January from 73.6 in the prior month, marking its lowest level since October, though sentiment stayed firmly positive. Expected own activity eased (51.6 vs 60.9 in December, while past activity slipped (26.2 vs 29.3) but remained near its second-highest since August 2021. Forward-looking indicators softened: export intentions (20.4 vs 25.6), employment intentions (22.4 vs 27.5), and profit expectations (32.9 vs 42.7). Meanwhile, cost pressures intensified (77.8 vs 76.1) and credit availability tightened further (16.3 vs 28.4). At the same time, pricing intentions strengthened (56.5 vs 51.7), wage growth expectations edged up (2.82 vs 2.70), and investment intentions was stable (28.3 vs 28.1). Inflation expectations ticked higher (2.77% vs 2.69%). Sector trends diverged, with residential construction intentions improving (58.8 vs 54.8), while commercial construction slumped (44.7 vs 57.1).
2026-01-29