News and views
November Wrap Up - Time to be picky
Volatility rose in November as the long-running "everything rally" lost momentum, revealing clear winners and losers. As markets become more nuanced heading into 2026, three priorities stand out: AI's impact on the macro economy, the effect of rising leverage on the investment boom, and the need for a granular approach to building truly diversified portfolios. Read more in the November Wrap Up.
Quarterly Economic Forecasts
- NZ is starting to work its way out of what proved to be a sharp and deep recession in 2024, after the delayed effects of high interest rates hit hard
- Growth resumed at the end of 2024, aided by strength in exports
- Economic recovery is set to be gradual over 2025
Read more in our latest Quarterly Economic Forecasts report.
ASB Investment Podcast
On the road with ASB: The questions kiwi investors are asking
Get expert answers to the investment questions on Kiwi minds, with insights from the ASB and BlackRock Investor's Advantage roadshow. In this episode, Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) is joined by Amehl Smith (Head of Private Banking, ASB) and Ngaire Angus (Head of Wealth Distribution, ASB) to break down the big themes - from AI and market shifts to term deposit rates and the property market. They discuss why an investor's mindset matters and share practical tips to help you get started and stay on track.
Understanding the OCR: Impacts for kiwi savers and borrowers
What does the Reserve Bank's Official Cash Rate (OCR) mean for your mortgage, savings, and investment decisions? Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) is joined by Chris Tennent-Brown (Senior Economist, ASB) and Manu Batra (Head of Home Lending Products, ASB) to unpack the latest OCR decision and what it means for Kiwi borrowers and savers. They break down why mortgage rates don't always move in step with the OCR, and how to balance lending and savings strategies as market conditions evolve.
From global headlines to the dairy aisle: The forces shaping investor confidence
Investor confidence is picking up from last quarter's post-Covid lows, but sentiment remains split. In this episode, Nigel Grant (Head of Wealth Products, ASB) and Chris Tennent-Brown (Senior Economist, ASB) dig into the latest ASB Investor Confidence Survey results for Q3 2025 to explore what's making some regions and groups more optimistic than others. They discuss the factors driving investor confidence and decision-making - from global headline events to local influences like the price of milk - and why more people are looking beyond property to investment options such as shares, managed funds, and KiwiSaver.
To hear more from the ASB Investment Podcast, listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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