Retreating tech leaves US weaknesses exposed

Retreating tech leaves US weaknesses exposed

Author: Interest.co.nz / Podcasts NZ, David Chaston, Gareth Vaughan, interest.co.nz February 4, 2026 Duration: 4:26
US data uninspiring. China services PMI expands faster. EU inflation retreats. Australian cost of living indexes mixed. Bitcoin slides faster

Economy Watch is a regular analysis of the financial forces shaping life in New Zealand. Hosted by David Chaston and Gareth Vaughan from interest.co.nz, this podcast digs into the weekly data, policy shifts, and market movements that quietly dictate everything from mortgage rates and grocery bills to job prospects and investment returns. The conversation moves beyond headline numbers, offering context and clarity on what the Reserve Bank's latest decision means for your wallet, how global commodity prices ripple through to local farms, or why a change in migration statistics matters for the housing market. It’s a grounded, informed discussion for anyone who wants to understand the mechanics behind the news, whether you're managing a business, a portfolio, or simply a household budget. Tune in to Economy Watch for a clear-eyed perspective on the economic currents that define our everyday reality, delivered by journalists who have been tracking these stories for years. You'll find this podcast an essential tool for connecting the dots in a complex financial landscape.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 500

Economy Watch
Podcast Episodes
Rest of world rises while the US on holiday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:14
World's factories rise despite tariff threats. Australia building consents fall but house prices rise. Wheat crop forecast jumps. Gold & silver push up near record highs
US courts doubt Trump had tariff-tax authority [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:31
Eyes on upcoming US jobs data. Chinese PMIs stay weak. China housing market weaker. Japan & Korea positive. Air travel and air freight grow strongly.
Risk aversion fades, risk taking swells [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:28
US data uninspiring but equity markets hit records again. Canadian wages rise faster. India factories busier. Freight rates fall.
US shows symptoms of decline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:17
US durable goods orders fall, factory surveys mildly negative; consumer sentiment dips. Canadian data positive. South Korean sentiment stays firm.
Chinese investors in bullish mood, US jaded [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:27
Even superprime US consumers now showing credit stress. Other US data lackluster. Singapore beats inflation. Chinese yuan rises with equity markets.
Guessing that renewed inflation is again 'transitory' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:48
China reveals extended weak FDI. Canada gets tariff inflation. Japan inflation dips but rice still a problem. US markets like that Powell de-emphasising the inflation fight.
All eyes on Powell's Jackson Hole speech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:50
Powell awaited but US data doesn't support rate cuts. Japanese business rises. China in more debt stress. Australia data upbeat. Freight rates ease.
Commodity prices turn soft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:06
Financial markets in broad but shallow retreat, led by commodities. Canadian inflation lower. Malaysian exports strong. Australian consumers more bullish.