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
Weaker factory orders, lingering high inflation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:51
US factory order data weak. US vehicle sales get FOMO boost. Flooding hurts Beijing. Inflation lingers in Australia raising questions for the RBA.
"Progress" toward economic authoritarianism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:01
Trump demands US data be sanitised. China PMIs show no progress, doubles down on consumer subsidies. India factories star again. Markets go risk-averse.
Freight volume data shows spreading US weakness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:34
US data soft, inflation data higher. Canada holds on despite threats. Japan factories busy. China factories less busy. Freight data shows mixed fortunes
Some big market reactions today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:03
US Fed holds but markets react sharply. US surprisingly exempts refined copper from key tariff hit. Canada holds. Singapore holds. Aussie inflation eases.
US fiscal situation gets worse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:59
IMF firms global growth forecasts on resilience. China-US talks extended. US sentiment hurt by jobs worries. US signals much more debt raising.
Clumsy dealmaking risks an unravelling phase [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:32
Signs tariff deals with the US may unravel. Markets eye US Fed decisions. China FDI shrinks again. Indian industrial production up.
Countries work around Trump's flooded zone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:47
EU & US cut a tariff deal. China profits slip. Russia cuts rate sharply. Europe on even keel. German sentiment improves. US durable goods orders fall.
More trade deals, just not with the US [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:00
US factories slower but service sector rises. Canadian retail rises. India PMIs rise. India & UK sign trade deal; ECB ends rate cut cycle. container freight rates dip.
Currency markets reset as tariff taxes bite [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:25
US factory survey turns lower as company profits hit by tariffs. Taiwan shines. Japan reacts to election. Europe gets the housing bug.