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Economic Weekly: Holding On

  • Over the past week CPI data in the US and UK was the key focus given both central banks appear on an extended hold.  Local data showed migration remains strong within the September figures, while card spending softened across the board in October.
  • Statistics NZ has expanded the range of monthly price data it now publishes. Generally, annual inflation eased in most things.
  • The news of the past week was sufficiently moderate inflation-wise to reinforce that the RBNZ is on hold for the foreseeable future.  The main news out this week - retail sales - won't change that.

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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.