Rate pause helps exporters

The currency fell about a cent against the Australian and United States dollars yesterday, ending the day at A92 cents and US69c. That was well down on the recent peaks of A94c and US70.3c but still high.

And there was more grim news on the trade front with a record $4 billion trade deficit announced by Statistics New Zealand for the September year. The September month deficit of $1 billion was worse than expected, with weak exports and higher imports.

Dr Bollard yesterday lifted the official cash rate a notch to 6.5 per cent, as widely expected, but surprised with a clear message that he has done enough to keep inflation in control.

That was a sharp turnaround from earlier statements from the Reserve Bank that rates would keep rising because the economy was strong, unemployment was low and inflation could get out of control next year.

Read More - Opens in a new window