New Zealand Business Sentiment Jumps to 5-Month High

2026-07-30 01:25 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index surged to 56.1 in July 2026 from 36.6 in the previous month, marking the strongest reading since February.

Firms’ own activity outlook strengthened markedly (49.3 vs 36.9 in June), while assessments of past activity edged higher (9.7 vs 9.0), supported by easing oil prices as tensions in the Middle East continued to subside.

Forward-looking indicators rose, with stronger export intentions (26.6 vs 18.1), profit expectations (28.7 vs 13.0), investment intentions (22.8 vs 16.5), and employment intentions (18.1 vs 9.4).

At the same time, pricing intentions (47.2 vs 50.7), cost expectations (78.2 vs 84.7), and inflation expectations (3.14% vs 3.36%) all moderated, while wage growth expectations were broadly steady (2.52% vs 2.53%).

Further, credit availability turned positive (1.4 vs -1.9).

Sectoral sentiment strengthened notably in construction, with confidence rising in both residential (42.5 vs 25.0) and commercial construction (48.9 vs 28.9).



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New Zealand Business Sentiment Jumps to 5-Month High
New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index surged to 56.1 in July 2026 from 36.6 in the previous month, marking the strongest reading since February. Firms’ own activity outlook strengthened markedly (49.3 vs 36.9 in June), while assessments of past activity edged higher (9.7 vs 9.0), supported by easing oil prices as tensions in the Middle East continued to subside. Forward-looking indicators rose, with stronger export intentions (26.6 vs 18.1), profit expectations (28.7 vs 13.0), investment intentions (22.8 vs 16.5), and employment intentions (18.1 vs 9.4). At the same time, pricing intentions (47.2 vs 50.7), cost expectations (78.2 vs 84.7), and inflation expectations (3.14% vs 3.36%) all moderated, while wage growth expectations were broadly steady (2.52% vs 2.53%). Further, credit availability turned positive (1.4 vs -1.9). Sectoral sentiment strengthened notably in construction, with confidence rising in both residential (42.5 vs 25.0) and commercial construction (48.9 vs 28.9).
2026-07-30
New Zealand Business Sentiment Jumps to 4-Month High
New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index surged to 36.6 in June 2026 from 10.0 in the previous month, marking the highest reading since February. Firms’ own activity outlook strengthened sharply (36.9 vs 25.6 in May), though past activity eased (9.0 vs 14.8) amid oil price shocks tied to Middle East tensions. Forward-looking indicators were broadly stronger, with higher readings for export intentions (18.1 vs 11.5), profit expectations (13.0 vs 2.0), investment intentions (16.5 vs 5.8), and employment intentions (9.4 vs 3.4). Pricing intentions (50.7 vs 56.7), cost expectations (84.7 vs 90.4), and inflation expectations (3.36% vs 3.63%) all increased, although wage growth expectations edged up (2.53% vs 2.48%). Meanwhile, cost expectations eased (84.7 vs 90.4), and credit availability improved markedly (-1.9 vs -17.5). Sentiment was better across the construction sector, with a climb in both residential construction (25.0 vs 11.8) and commercial construction (28.9 vs 13.5).
2026-06-30
New Zealand Business Confidence Improves
New Zealand’s ANZ Business Outlook Index climbed to 10.0 in May from -10.0 in the previous month, marking a notable rebound in business sentiment, though still subdued compared with levels seen before the Middle East conflict. Firms’ own activity outlook strengthened (25.6 vs 19.6 in April), while past activity eased slightly (14.8 vs 16.9). Several forward indicators recovered, including export intentions (11.5 vs 1.1), profit expectations (2.0 vs -13.3), investment intentions (5.8 vs 3.3), and employment intentions (3.4 vs -2.7). Meanwhile, wage growth expectations were steady (2.48% vs 2.41%). Pricing intentions (56.7 vs 57.7) and cost pressures (90.4 vs 90.4) were little changed. Credit availability rose modestly (-17.5 vs -21.5), while inflation expectations moderated slightly (3.63% vs 3.81%). Sector sentiment was mixed, with residential construction flat (at 11.8) but commercial construction weakening sharply (13.5 vs 27.0).
2026-05-29