NZ: CPI rose 0.1% in March quarter – Westpac

Michael Gordon, senior economist at Westpac, notes that the New Zealand’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.1% in the March quarter, a little less than expected.

Key Quotes

“Annual inflation slowed from 1.9% to 1.5%, largely reflecting a pullback in fuel prices over the quarter.”

“However, measures of underlying inflation also remain subdued. Imported inflation is soft and domestic inflation is picking up only gradually.”

“Market pricing is now leaning towards an OCR cut in May, but we emphasise that this remains a close call.”