Monthly Economic Indicators - February 2013
Please find attached a copy of the February Monthly Economic Indicators (MEI). The report provides a summary of recent
economic events.
• Domestic demand is looking more positive, especially compared to other advanced economies. This contributed to an
increase in the NZ dollar.
• Retail trade volumes surged in the December quarter, helped by a seasonal rise in fuel sales, falling imported durable
goods prices and rising housing activity.
• The labour market appears weaker than anticipated, although the consequences for economy-wide hours, earnings and tax
are not as significant.
• The global outlook has continued to improve, although this trend is not universal.