Business sentiment has risen slightly this month

Business sentiment has risen slightly this month

Welcome to the results of our latest BNZ Confidence Survey.

Our first BNZ Confidence Survey for 2012 has found a slight lift in business sentiment to a net 13% of respondents confident that things will be better in a year’s time from 3% in early December. There were a number of expressions of concern about the high currency, compliance costs, and weak consumer demand. Few respondents noted difficulties in sourcing staff and there were noticeably fewer expressions of concern about conditions overseas than in previous months.

In retailing conditions remain extremely tight, residential real estate is improving with more buyers appearing, listings tight, but prices only slowly rising. Agricultural conditions are buoyant and farmers continue to focus strongly on reducing debt levels.

The results are consistent with a view that the pace of economic growth will improve this year. But widespread focus on debt reduction coupled with an absence of household spending strength suggests the year risks being as much of a disappointment as 2011.

Full Report (PDF File)

© Scoop Media