Since May this year, the Baltic Dry Index has collapsed (falling by 93%) – a movement that may be of concern for a small trading nation like New Zealand. The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is effectively an index of shipping costs for 26 of the main "dry commodity" shipping routes. As a result, movements in the index give us some idea about how the cost of international shipping is changing. However, over recent years the index has also been used as an indicator of the outlook for commodity prices. This interpretation of the index is something we discussed in detail back in March
News
Our work in the news
Our economists are approachable and able to give commentary on a wide range of economic issues affecting New Zealand.
We enjoy sharing our views and welcome opportunities to speak with the media. If you’d like Infometrics to comment on a media story please email Brad Olsen or call our office +64 4 909 7612 to speak with one of the team.
Sign up to our monthly newsletter to get the latest commentary and articles on economic issues that matter in the New Zealand economy. Follow us on social media for more regular updates and links to interviews with our economists.
Here is list of Infometrics’ latest mentions in the media.
ARTICLES
When not to stimulate
There is now little doubt in anyone’s mind that the New Zealand economy is in for another bumpy ride over the coming year. Given this realisation the burning question is: How can government policy save the day?
Borrow and hope
In a world increasingly wary of debt New Zealand is vulnerable, possibly very vulnerable. We are one of the most indebted nations in thedeveloped world with net foreign debt hovering around 100% of GDP. As a countrywe have been chalking up external account deficits for 35 years and now have anIOU bill to the rest of the world of around $160bn, or about $40,000 for everyNew Zealander. We are not the most indebted, but we are exceeded only by Iceland whose net foreign debt per head is a massive $100,000. But then Iceland is now virtually bankrupt.
We’ve had tougher times before
Reports about the credit crunch, looming global recession and stock market volatility have dominated economic reports over the past few months. But for most New Zealanders the question will be what does it mean it for me? At its simplest: how safe is my job?
What price trust?
Trust is the prime victim of the current global financial meltdown. Much is made about greed as a motivator of market behaviour, a la Gordon Gekko’s "Greed is Good" speech in the film Wall Street. However, what makes modern market economies so successful is not that financial markets are a "free for all" but that they have to operate within clearly defined restrictions. Ultimately it is the rules and protections that promote economic performance in the world’s rich economies.
Less aspiration, more perspiration
Economics is the study of changes at the margin. It is thus apt that the economic policies being proposed by the two main parties feature, at most, marginal changes. But endorsing the status quo sits awkwardly with their aspirational goals.
History in the making
Most of us can recall what we were doing when major eventsoccurred like when the twin towers came down, when Princess Diana died orduring the stock market crash of 1987. The global financial crisis of 2007/08 isfast shaping up to be one of the defining periods in world history. But theenormity of what is happening on world markets can be hard for New Zealandersto comprehend. Twelve figure sums are being thrown around by governments and massivecompanies are going bankrupt. As we deal with our current economic challenges,the deteriorating world economy has New Zealanders wondering what else may bein store.
How can such a small tumble hurt so much?
It’s official – New Zealand experienced its first recession in a decade over the first half of 2008. According tothe official statistics the quarterly level of economic activity is down 0.5%on its peak in December (adjusted for seasonal differences).
Why have GST on food?
The issue of GST on food is once more gaining traction amongst various political parties and social groups. New Zealand’s system of GST is one of the best in the world because it has only one tax rate and that rate applies to almost everything. We do not have the absurd situation that exists in some countries where, for example, bread has no GST, chicken has no GST, but a chicken sandwich does have GST. Or the situation where the chicken sandwich attracts GST if it is served warm, but not if it is served cold.
Sharing the fruits of growth
Real disposable incomes of Kiwi households have been rising on average for a considerable length of time even after taking into account increasing costs of food, fuel and mortgages. This was very clearly demonstrated by a colleague of mine – Chris Worthington – in this column some weeks back. But averages sometimes disguise differences across social strata. Have we all being been enjoying the fruits of growth?