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China CPI little-changed, PPI deflates less; Japan expansion confirmed; US wealth grows, but carmaker strike looms; global food prices fall; UST 10yr 4.26%; gold and oil ease; NZ$1 = 58.8 USc; TWI-5 = 68.5

Economy / news
China CPI little-changed, PPI deflates less; Japan expansion confirmed; US wealth grows, but carmaker strike looms; global food prices fall; UST 10yr 4.26%; gold and oil ease; NZ$1 = 58.8 USc; TWI-5 = 68.5

Here's our summary of key economic events over the weekend that affect New Zealand, with news a bit of price stabilisation is returning to the Chinese economy.

Chinese consumer price inflation came in little-changed for August. It was up +0.3% from July, and up only +0.1% from a year ago. Overall demand remains low. Milk and lamb prices fell in the month, beef prices were unchanged from July. Year-on-year milk prices are essentially unchanged but beef and lamb prices were down almost -5%.

Producer prices fell again in China but in August this fall was less than in any month since March on a year-ago basis. They were essentially unchanged from a month ago which is the 'best' they have been since October last year.

The Japanese economy expanded +1.2% in Q2-2023 from the prior quarter, compared with a flash reading of a +1.5% gain and after a downwardly revised +0.9% rise in Q1. This was the second straight quarter of growth, coming slightly less than market forecasts of a +1.3% rise, and despite being the fastest growth for a year, it was downgraded because of weaker-than-expected household consumption, and investment. Year-on-year, the Japanese economy was +2.0% larger, although the Q2-2023 grew at an annualised +4.8% rate, so relatively fast recently. Just not as fast as earlier indicated.

The Americans reported that their household net worth rose to a record US$154 tln in Q2-2023, a rise of +4.8% in a year. They managed that because their household liabilities only rose +3.6% in the same period. Helping is the surprisingly quick recovery suggesting that the residential real-estate downturn is turning out to be shorter and shallower than expected.

US consumer credit rose a modest +US$10.4 bln in July, a second month with a solid but unspectacular rise. Household debt isn't an overall problem for them.

Meanwhile, under-scrutiny American regional banks saw their profits and deposits broadly steady in Q2-2023, suggesting the turmoil earlier in the year has eased considerably. But a regulator watch is still on for unrealised losses, especially around commercial property loans.

There is a major strike threat at American carmakers that we should keep an eye on however.

And also worth noting, Fed whisperer Timiraos says officials are now leaning to a rate pause at their September 21 meeting in ten days.

The Canadian economy added almost +40,000 new jobs in August, far exceeding market expectations of a +15,000 increase. Full-time work rose +32,000 and part-time jobs increased by +8,000 in the month from July. But there were some notable distortions. The number of self employed rose by +50,000. And the overall population rose +103,000 in the month. That meant that their jobless rate stayed at a relatively high 5.5%. Those in jobs saw their pay rise +5.5% from a year ago, and well above their inflation rate of +3.3%.

Meanwhile, global food prices fell -2.1% in August to now be at their lowest since April 2021. These prices are now -25% below their peak in March 2022. A key reason for the latest fall is the retreating dairy price which was down -4% as the world seems to have a dairy surplus now. Meat prices are falling too, related to the fall in grain feed prices.

The UST 10yr yield starts today unchanged at 4.26%. Their key 2-10 yield curve is still inverted at -73 bps. And their 1-5 curve is now at -102 bps. Their 3 mth-10yr curve inversion is still inverted at -113 bps. The Australian 10 year bond yield is now at 4.12% and unchanged from Saturday. The China 10 year bond rate is little-changed at 2.68%. And the NZ Government 10 year bond rate is now at 5.00% and also unchanged from Saturday.

The price of gold will start today at just on US$1919/oz and down -US$1 from Saturday. But that is down -US$20 from a week ago.

And oil prices are down -50 USc from Saturday at just on US$86.50/bbl in the US. The international Brent price is now down -US$1 at just over US$90/bbl. 

In Australia, 3-week strike action at natural gas facilities in WA, responsible for about 6% of the world’s supply of that fuel, came as talks over pay and work conditions failed and both sides dug in. Workers are currently paid between AU$231,000 to AU$373,000, including base salary, allowances and 16% superannuation, on a 10-week roster structured two weeks on, two weeks off, two weeks on and then four weeks off. They work 42 ordinary hours a week and no more than 26 weeks a year. They are seeking a pay and conditions increase so that labour costs would jump by +49%.

The Kiwi dollar starts today little-changed from Saturday at 58.8 USc. Against the Aussie we are starting the week at 92.3 AUc. Against the euro we are unchanged at 55 euro cents. That all means the TWI-5 is still at 68.5. A week ago it was at 68.7, so very little changed from then.

The bitcoin price is a little lower from this time Saturday, and is now at US$25,685, a net fall of just -0.5% over the weekend. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been very low at just on +/-0.4%.

The easiest place to stay up with event risk today is by following our Economic Calendar here ».

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48 Comments

Big news is the el Nino forecast. Looks like a hot and dry summer with droughts.

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I’m not sure this is a positive of a negative.

Great for being around the pool but has little impact (or potentially worse (?) for weather events.

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even the weather will be better under a National government :)

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Better?

From a selfish perspective I am looking forward to a sunnier, hotter summer. Last ‘summer’ was crap.

Don’t know if farmers are looking forward to it?

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Typical National supporter. Seems to have forgotten that we need rain to grow things.

 

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They will probably sell it to a foreigner and we can rent it back?

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Vote for TOP and you will have to rent it. They are anti-private ownership, or personal use without cost. Someone will argue Maori own the weather, but TOP will charge for it, and not pass the proceeds on. #sarc

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Quite some spin. That is like saying Nation and Labour are anti working, or labor based personal gain without cost. Its just a tax base change that catches the lazy land speculators and stops punishing those that actually work.

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There's been a few commentators who have actually said those things here. But it really isn't that far from what is happening is it? They don't seem to know how to create an environment that encourages business to employ people and pay them decent wages, they seem to prefer the keep the lower and middle classes dependent. Luxon wants more slaves as he keeps talking about working harder. Personally I like to see him looking at how we can do it smarter. Both don't know have to genuinely reduce the cost of housing, or the cost of living. None seem to have the courage or know how to rein in the banks.

TOP are not, and for me have never been inspiring.

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Murray - that is  rubbish.  TOP is the to remedy the gross inequality of our tax system.

A comment which is unhelpful and wrong.

You are usually more constructive than that.

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Did you miss the #sarc tag at the end?

But TOP advocates the introduction of a LVT despite home owners already paying rates. Don't start saying they will reduce taxes elsewhere because NZs history with that happening is that it won't happen at all. they'll just introduce the new tax. Just more grab, snatch and take. 

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I have a reasonable job and a reasonable house, and my income tax bill is about 10 times my rates bill. That's hardly balanced - we are really doing our very best to discourage people from doing productive work. 

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The TOP tax policy is  burden shift - not an increase.  

It is not an argument against the policy.  Different issue entirely which can be dealt with.

Or... lets introduce a tax free rate on all investments below the price of a home  (if you don't have one that is).

That'll even up he playing field for the non home owners.

Got a problem with that Murray?

 

 

 

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The weather could be an election decider. After a nice sunny month or two the current government might not seem so bad. 

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Then again, the weekend's sporting results may throw the nation into a deep, dark funk!

ABs in an historic loss, the 'Wahs' train has derailed, and that Kiwi UFC guy got smoked by some toothless redneck. 

 

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Much of the younger generations couldn't give a toss about 13/15 men chasing a funny shaped ball round a field, so there is a good chance it only affects the old farts.

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I am an old fart and I can distinguish rugby from soccer by the shape of the balls.  Mostly.

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And NZ Sailing GP Teams mast snapped...!

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Whatever the weather, we’ll moan.  We will moan if it’s too wet, too hot (>23c), too cold, too dry, too windy. We are world class at moaning and fearful of life, probably the last thing we are world class at. 

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And here’s you moaning about moaning lol.

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Sing along. Crowded House. “ Everywhere you go, you always take the weather with you.” There it is.

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As globalisation and excess supply hits dairy and meat you have to wonder how our land prices are sustainable. Paying premiums for good products happens when times are good so the next couple of years may test this.

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Let's not forget that high fuel prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine over 18 months ago triggered the domestic inflationary spell that we're still trying to contain.

Petrol and, more importantly, diesel prices at the pump are creeping back towards where they were in the aftermath of the Ukraine war with no imminent signs of coming down again. Another few rounds of price increases are still on the cards for many businesses reeling with high transport costs.

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Will probably keep rising steeply for a few decades.

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And also worth noting, Fed whisperer Timiraos says officials are now leaning to a rate pause at their September 21 meeting in ten days.

This Will Be Worldwide Within 29 days

Jerome Powell is selling a soft landing, but is anyone really buying? Not really, no. Risks - which are no longer just theoretical risks - are building all over the place. In addition to China/Asia, deflation has really gripped Europe. Producer prices there are sinking, even core rates. It's only a matter of time before consumer prices get sucked down, too. Only a couple years ago, Powell had admitted globally synchronized is a real danger.

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"Meanwhile, global food prices fell -2.1% in August to now be at their lowest since April 2021. These prices are now -25% below their peak in March 2022."

Meanwhile in monopoly land.Stats NZ’s Food Price Index shows food prices on their basket measure increased 9.6 per cent pa in July 2023

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Maybe because, as Jfoe keeps saying, we have massively increased food producers costs by increasing interest costs, so they are passing those costs on?

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Are producers receiving better prices?  Plenty of anecdotal that they aren't.

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Aldi Australia this week. 1kg home brand Australian tasty cheese AUD 9.99 (NZD 10.85) Best price block at Countdown $16.90 (AUD 15.55)

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I'm in fiji, I can buy NZ sirloin for 20 fjd a kg. Roughly 15 nzd.

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Is it any good?

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Yeah it is good. Great marbling. Its the same stuff I buy from gilmours at home.

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Was it Indo buffalo repackaged in Singapore or NZ sirloin?

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Nice slur their Profile..expected as much.

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Nothing slur about it. Spend a bit of time in SE Asia and you will see "rebranded" NZ meat all over - so it is a valid question.You think only perfume can be counterfeited? Keep up the fact free cheap shots chap.

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Your comment was a cheap shot and note how you were found wrong. At least your consistent.

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Its sirloin, Im not a butcher, but I am a bbq fiend, I know my meat.

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The UK government passed an Energy Bill that risks fining or imprisoning property owners who fail to meet net zero energy targets. Maximum fine: £15,000 Maximum prison sentence: 12 months Votes for = 280 Votes against = 19 Where is our political opposition? Labour abstained. Link

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Absolute madness...

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Yes the Tory Government is absolute madness ..

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And absolute horse manure. Basically the law is saying that new buildings have to be assessed for their energy usage. And it looks like if you are ordered to do something and you don't do it, these are the fines.

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-03/0340/220340.pdf , check page 207 and scroll up for the context of what its for.

So for instance if you are making a building, have an inspector come through and he says "Hey, you need insulation" and you don't, then you are fined/imprisoned. Or if you put in an electric car charger without ripple control after the local authority says you can't, or similar.  Not much in there about forcing net zero energy targets onto housebuilders. 

Audaxes likes to post outrage content and never verifies his actual sources. Instead people like me have to do it.

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El Nino great for farming in Southland bring it on.We have had a top spring down under.

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And oil prices are down -50 USc from Saturday at just on US$86.50/bbl in the US. The international Brent price is now down -US$1 at just over US$90/bbl. 

Oil Markets Tighten On Constant Inventory Draws

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The El Nino looks bad, I filled up two 1000L tanks , clened the spa pool etc and backwashed the pool, we should get about 5000L off the roof later today then could be a long dry one.....  

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I just want a new govt. A fine summer would be second. Third is a new govt. Lower interest rates are in fifth position with a new govt next, again.

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