by Warren Head | Mar 27, 2026 | Commodities, Currency, Economy, Money Market
27.3.26 Oil prices, the US dollar, and bond yields all rose amid market scepticism that a de-escalation in the Iran war was likely soon, reports Westpac this morning. Currencies: “The US dollar index is up 0.3% on the day. EUR fell from 1.1570 to 1.1523. USD/JPY rose...
by Warren Head | Mar 26, 2026 | Economy, Money Market
26.3.26 The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is well positioned to handle the challenges to price stability and financial stability mandates caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Governor Anna Breman said in a speech this week aimed at calming market...
by Warren Head | Mar 26, 2026 | Economy
26.3.26 The December 2025 quarter delivered a record high share of renewable electricity generation at 96.4%, up 2.1 percentage points on the December 2024 quarter. “Driving this was strong hydro output and increases in solar capacity over the past year,” recordced...
by Warren Head | Mar 4, 2026 | Economy, Global Share Markets, Market Commentary
Financial and commodity markets are reacting to the fast-escalating regional conflict in the Middle East. ASB Bank this morning noted severe interruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and regional air routes. “Rising oil prices have ignited...
by Warren Head | Mar 2, 2026 | Economy, Market Commentary
The Iranian capital Tehran 2.3.26 The financial market and international affairs commentators were today gripped by the situation in Iran – and the wider Middle East where aviation was disrupted and vessels anchored beyond the Persian Gulf. “The direct impact on New...
by Warren Head | Feb 18, 2026 | Economy, Money Market
With the economy at an early stage in its recovery, the Reserve Bank decided to hold the Official Cash Rate unchanged at 2.25% today. The Governor of the RB, Dr Anna Breman, delivering her first OCR announcement Monetary Policy Statement said, “.If the economy evolves...
