MNI BRIEF: NZ GDP Shrinks 0.2% Q/Q Against Expected 0.4%
MNI (SYDNEY) - The New Zealand economy shrank by 0.2% q/q over Q2, 20 basis points less than market expectations and 30bp less than the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s most recent projections, Stats NZ data showed Thursday.
GDP per capita fell 0.5% q/q, while real gross national disposable income was flat at 0.0%.
The move lower follows Q1’s 0.1% growth.
Retail trade and accommodation fell 1.3%, while the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector was down 1.4%. Wholesale trade declined 1.3%.
The RBNZ surprised markets in August, cutting the Official Cash Rate 25bp to 5.25%. However, the Bank could consider a pause to its easing cycle when it next meets on Oct 9, according to one former senior official. (See MNI INTERVIEW: RBNZ To Debate Pause To Cuts- Ex Dep Governor)