Daily Alert: Backing the Fed
- NZ Q4 QSBO shows a lift in business optimism to a 12-year high, although the issue is whether this will be sustained and will translate into strengthening investment, activity, and hiring without overheating the NZ economy as 2026 unfolds.
- Central bankers fight back after the escalation of attacks by the Trump administration on the Fed, with President Trump to announce his nomination for Fed chair in the next few weeks.
- US yields fall after core US CPI inflation surprises to the downside, suggesting that the pass-through from US tariffs has peaked. However, disappointing JPMorgan earnings weighed on bank stocks. The S&P 500 slipped from record highs, with investors digesting a mixed batch of corporate news and keeping an eye on upcoming Supreme Court rulings and earnings releases from major banks.
Contact us
Mark Smith
Senior Economist
Mark joined ASB in 2017, with over 20 years of public and private sector experience working as an economist in New Zealand and the UK.
His resume includes lengthy stints at ANZ and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and he has also worked at the Bank of England, HM Treasury and the New Zealand Transport Agency. Mark's areas of specialisation include interest rate strategy, macro-economic analysis and urban economics.
Born and bred in the Waikato, Mark studied at Waikato University where he graduated with a Master of Social Sciences, majoring in Economics.
Mark's key strengths are the ability to use his extensive experience, inquisitive nature, analytical ability, creativity and pragmatism to dig a little deeper and to deliver common sense solutions to tackle complex problems.
When not at work Mark likes to travel, keep fit and spend time with his friends and family.
- Email: Mark
Chris Tennent-Brown
ASB Wealth Senior Economist
Chris has worked as an economist for ASB and Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney since 2005. His work has involved monitoring and forecasting trends in the New Zealand economy, with a focus on drawing implications for financial markets and investments. Chris is passionate about savings issues, and much of his current work is focussed on broadening peoples understanding of investments. Chris obtained a Bachelor of Commerce at Auckland University, majoring in Economics, and prior to joining ASB worked in the funds management industry for Bankers Trust and BT Funds Management. With over 20 years' experience in finance, Chris has also spent several years farming, and was a New Zealand representative cyclist. When not at work, Chris likes to travel, cycle, and spend time with his family and numerous pets.
- Email: Chris