IRG BOP's Jonathan York says there is good cause for optimism in investment this week. There is an increased confidence in world markets and New Zealand's economy appears to be holding well. He is also picking the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to increase the Official Cash Rate by another 25 basis points this week. For his analysis of this move, see video below. See weekly market update with IRG BOP's Jonathan York More...

The world equity markets have had a turnaround, up about 2-3 per cent in the third quarter from the lows experienced at the end of the second quarter. This increase is important and is backed up by moves from the International Monetary Fund. These changes indicate a degree of solidarity in this market. IRG BOP investment adviser Jonathan York gives his market update via video More...

The New Zealand market is proving up and down in the wake of news regarding European debt and sluggish growth worldwide. Drawing close to the end of the June quarter appears to be driving some caution in the marketplace. There are some good buying opportunities though and in this week's IRG BOP market update, Jonathan York explores some of these. See video below for IRG BOP's weekly market update with Jonathan York. More...

New Zealand's economy growth figures appear sluggish, especially when compared with Australia. This is not surprising as Australia never officially entered recession, but has still disappointed some analysts, who expected growth of about 0.8 per cent. Instead figures show it was 0.6 per cent. IRG BOP's Jonathan York analyses this and other issues from the finance week just been in video below. See video below of IRG BOP's Jonathan York discussing finance issues for the week. More...

Media is often carried away with exciting rumours and curiosities associated with financial news. This kind of speculative reporting can do harm for investors as people make decisions that are not based on fact. This is a problem when facts about economies get left behind, yet these are what best decisions are based on. See video below of IRG BOP investment adviser Jonathan York talking economic fact. More...

IRG BOP investment adviser Jonathan York is concerned about Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Alan Bollard's decision to increase the Official Cash Rate to 2.75 basis points. This is the first increase in the OCR for three years and is an indicator that the economy is recovering from recession. See video below of IRG BOP's weekly market update. But, there is concern that the smaller economies around New Zealand are not quite ready for the OCR increase. The expectation is that the OCR More...

Western Bay of Plenty property and business leaders have reacted negatively to Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard's announcement to raise the Official Cash Rate 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent. Quotable Value's Western Bay spokesperson, Shayne Donovan-Grammer, says the region's property market is not ready for an OCR rise. Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO Max Mason is not happy about the OCR rise. "I'm a bit disappointed. The region's property market is not doing well enough to More...

Over the last 18 months The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has tread carefully with adjustments to the OCR, either holding it or reducing it at each review. At the June 10 review, next week, some commentators are predicting Governor Alan Bollard may switch gears and increase the OCR. See video below of IRG BOP's weekly market update. In this week's IRG BOP market update, Jonathan York explores this situation. More...

Last week's Budget is likely to generate incentives for investment with the tax changes creating some opportunities, says IRG BOP's Jonathan York. The fallout for the property sector is yet to be seen, with the date for changes not until 2011, but is not alone in the potential problems created by the Budget. IRG BOP's Jonathan York discusses impacts on the economy from last week's Budget. The issue of a potential rising in inflation caused by the increase to GST of 15 per cent is a big More...

Strong economic growth in the Bay of Plenty has propelled annual economic growth ahead of the national benchmark, according to the latest National Bank Regional Trends Survey. The Bay of Plenty recorded rises across a range of economic indicators. There was a one percent rise in the sale of lifestyle blocks, contrasting with a 21 percent fall nationally. Accommodation guest nights rose faster than the national average, with the region's occupancy rate recording a 3.3 per cent rise. More...