Annual wages growth is still accelerating. It is premature to talk of interest-rate cuts while such stretched capacity still exists. |
Aside from the unexpected slump in non-rural goods, we note that imports are still strong in capital, so the business investment theme is still alive and well. |
If Peter Costello wants more taxpayers, he is going to have to find more child-care places so mothers can actually get back to work. |
Inflation is going the wrong way, from 3.2 to 3.4 per cent. |
The central bank has identified the triggers that will make it raise rates. We don't think those things will happen. |
There is a cost to the economy. |
This is the nail in the coffin for the recession camp. |
Yes, the economy is slowing, but New Zealand is not in recession. Even if you take January and February together, you've still got retail sales travelling at 1.1% for the quarter. Sales growth was also much broader in February. |
You can draw a pretty strong conclusion that better availability and cheaper child care would certainly encourage more women to work. |