Fonterra capital return could boost GDP – ANZ Report
The Fonterra divestment capital return should provide “a tailwind to GDP growth” next year, according to a new ANZ NZ report, but it’s not “manna from heaven” for the economy.
ANZ says the latest cut to its floating rates will be welcome news to many of its business and agri customers still feeling the effects of high inflation and interest rates.
ANZ NZ managing director for business and agri, Lorraine Mapu says most business and agri customers are on floating rates so changes should flow to them “fairly quickly”.
Following the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut the official cash rate (OCR) by 50 basis points this morning, ANZ cut its business floating rates a further 40-basis points, resulting in a total 55-basis point cut for the month after the bank earlier trimmed rates by 15-basis points.
“Since rates started to drop – both wholesale and the OCR – we’ve announced 135-basis points in cuts to our business and agri customers,” says Mapu. In that time, the OCR has fallen by 125-basis points.
Mapu says most of ANZ NZ’s business and agri customers were on floating rates so the changes should flow through to them relatively quickly, giving some debt relief and helping with cashflow.
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.

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