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Inflation Stories

Kiwi Stories

Inflation stories

Manawatū-Whanganui regional council to make 'trade-offs' ahead of rates caps
Climate change

Manawatū-Whanganui regional council to make 'trade-offs' ahead of rates caps

Residents face slimmer services and delayed projects as the council tries to stay within a future 2% to 4% rates cap.

By Rebecca Hogan • 2 min read • Last week

Global Stories

Inflation stories

Australia construction costs rise 1.0% as momentum returns
Supply Chain

Australia construction costs rise 1.0% as momentum returns

Builders and developers face tighter margins as the latest Cordell index shows national construction costs climbed 1.0% in the September quarter.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • This month
Convera warns businesses to brace for FX swings in 2027
Risk & Compliance

Convera warns businesses to brace for FX swings in 2027

Businesses should prepare for wider currency swings in 2027 as competition for capital makes foreign exchange markets harder to predict.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Inflation stories

Australian business conditions weaken as sector gap widens
Manufacturing

Australian business conditions weaken as sector gap widens

Rising oil prices and higher borrowing costs are squeezing retail and housing-linked firms, while mining continues to hold up.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • 2 days ago
Australia consumer confidence drops as rate hikes bite
Inflation

Australia consumer confidence drops as rate hikes bite

Households and retailers face extra strain after confidence fell 2.7% in November, with mortgage holders hit hardest ahead of Christmas shopping.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • 2 days ago
Most UK adults expect to be worse off after Budget
Inflation

Most UK adults expect to be worse off after Budget

Only 39% of adults can cover a surprise £200 to £500 bill from savings, as household finances come under strain ahead of the Autumn Budget.

By Mara Sugue • 4 min read • 3 days ago
Australian mid-sized firms absorb cost rises as they grow
MYOB

Australian mid-sized firms absorb cost rises as they grow

Mid-sized firms are still planning to lift hiring and investment, despite absorbing an average AUD $6,700 a month rise in running costs.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • 3 days ago
Budget puts fresh strain on SMEs, business groups say
Manufacturing

Budget puts fresh strain on SMEs, business groups say

Small firms could face higher borrowing costs and wage bills after the Budget, according to advisers who said ministers offered too little relief.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last week
Australian retailers prioritise AI for customer growth
Customer Experience

Australian retailers prioritise AI for customer growth

Costly customer acquisition is pushing Australian retailers to use AI for better retention and productivity as 2027 growth targets sharpen.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Small firms say Budget aid for apprenticeships falls short
Artificial Intelligence

Small firms say Budget aid for apprenticeships falls short

Small employers say they still face the bulk of recruitment and mentoring costs, even after Budget measures aimed at easing apprenticeships and graduate hiring.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last week
Australian household spending rises 0.6% in September
Inflation

Australian household spending rises 0.6% in September

Fuel-price pressures helped lift spending, but CreditorWatch said the data still points to softer consumer demand after recent rate rises.

By Mara Sugue • 3 min read • Last week
Australian SMEs brace for fuel, power cost pressures
Housing

Australian SMEs brace for fuel, power cost pressures

Most Australian SMEs expect fuel and utility bills to squeeze margins over the next year, while 73% see the economy weakening.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
RBA lifts cash rate to 4.85% as inflation stays high
Artificial Intelligence

RBA lifts cash rate to 4.85% as inflation stays high

Mortgage and business borrowing costs have climbed to their highest in 18 years after the Reserve Bank of Australia's 25 basis point move.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
Reserve Bank of Australia lifts cash rate to 18-year high
Inflation

Reserve Bank of Australia lifts cash rate to 18-year high

Borrowers face higher mortgage costs after the Reserve Bank lifted rates to 4.85%, its highest level in 18 years.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last week
Reserve Bank rate rise deepens Australia's housing slump
Real estate

Reserve Bank rate rise deepens Australia's housing slump

Mortgage repayments are about AUD $600 a month higher for average borrowers after the Reserve Bank lifted rates to 4.85%.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week
Britons dip into savings to cover festive spending
Christmas

Britons dip into savings to cover festive spending

Many households are already raiding cash buffers, with 67% of UK adults using savings for everyday costs ahead of Christmas.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Australia's Reserve Bank tipped to raise rates again
Inflation

Australia's Reserve Bank tipped to raise rates again

Borrowers could face higher repayments as economists say the cash rate is likely to rise 25 basis points to an 18-year high.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month