Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
NZ says budget back in black by 2016, revamps taxes
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
NZ says budget back in black by 2016, revamps taxes
Reuters - Thursday, May 20
Send
IM Story
Print
* NZ govt upgrades growth forecasts
* Bond issuance near term higher, longer term reduced
* NZ set to post budget surpluses by 2016
* Income & company taxes down, sales tax up
* S&P reaffirms rating, Fitch keeps negative outlook
By Gyles Beckford and Mantik Kusjanto
WELLINGTON, May 20 - New Zealand's government upgraded its growth outlook and cut its borrowing plans in its annual budget on Thursday, drawing a mixed reception from ratings agencies.
The 2010/11 budget also outlined, as expected, cuts to personal and company tax rates, as well as a rise in the value added goods and services tax to help drive growth.
It said it would borrow NZ$12.5 billion in the coming year, around NZ$2 billion more than signalled last December, to finance a higher than expected budget deficit of NZ$8.6 billion or 4.5 percent of gross domestic product. Analysts had expected around $6.5 billion of deficit.
But that was largely due to the timing of tax cuts, a still soft revenue outlook, and higher short term debt servicing costs.
Further out the forecasts showed borrowing falling to NZ$6 billion in 2014, about NZ$2 billion less than expected, and shrinking deficits, which see the economy back in surplus by 2016.
"On balance then, issuance is falling relative to past forecasts, not rising," said Stephen Toplis, head of research at Bank of NZ.
The New Zealand dollar briefly gained around half a cent after the budget to NZ$0.6855, but was then dragged as low as $0.6704 as it was caught in broader market volatility surrounding the euro zone's woes.
There was little reaction in the bond market, with yields around two basis points lower in parts due to safe haven bids.
"The kiwi is up because people like what they saw... In contrast to a lot of other countries where they are cutting spending and raising taxes, we get a better fiscal position and policies are generally growth enhancing," said ANZ-National senior economist Khoon Goh.
HIGHER GROWTH OUTLOOK
Official forecasts painted a slightly rosier picture of the economy over the next four years with faster growth, lower unemployment, reduced borrowing and lower debt levels. [ID:nWNBS0165]
"The government's focus is on accelerating the economy and ensuring the economy expands in a sustainable way," Finance Minister Bill English said in a statement.
For 2010/11, the government raised its growth forecast to 3.2 percent from 2.4 percent previously, while keeping its growth outlook steady around 3 percent for the following three fiscal years.
The net debt level was forecast to peak at 27.4 percent of gross domestic product in 2014, still comfortably low compared with levels approaching or exceeding 100 percent of GDP in some European countries or Japan, where debt is expected to vault 200 percent of national output.
RATINGS
English said the budget was strong enough compared with other countries to deserve a positive response from ratings agencies.
Standard and Poors' said the budget was in line with New Zealand's AA-plus rating and offered "an achievable and believable path to return the operating position to surplus." [ID::nWNA1672]
In contrast, Fitch Ratings said it would not change its negative outlook on New Zealand's AA-plus rating. It dropped the outlook from stable last July citing the country's high external debt levels.
"We are not looking at changing the outlook at this point in time. We will be having more assessment and discussion," Fitch sovereign analyst Ai Ling Ngiam told Reuters. "It looks to us the gain in the consolidation of the budget is quite marginal".
Analysts said there was little in the budget to alter the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's monetary view. The central bank has said it expected to start raising rates from a record low 2.5 percent in coming months as the economy gathers pace.
"There are not a lot of monetary policy implications, for the RBNZ whether or not they go in June or delay will largely depend how developments offshore pan out, particularly with the current volatility in financial markets," said ANZ's Goh.
Financial market pricing of the first rate rise on June 10 remained around 70 percent, which has eased from being fully priced two weeks ago on soft data and global market volatility. They also bet on 184 basis points of tightening over the next 12 months, according to a measure from Credit Suisse <CSRBNZ1Y=CSAU>.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
US-BUSINESS Summary Reuters - 26 minutes ago
U.S. bank earnings improve but small firms suffering Reuters - 26 minutes ago
Staples profit tops Street view Reuters - 28 minutes ago
Dubai World in $23.5 billion debt deal with core banks Reuters - 35 minutes ago
Fed says Europe crisis threatens U.S. economy Reuters - 39 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Germany leads charge for tax on financial markets
Merkel to campaign for markets tax at G20
Dubai World 'reaches agreement over debt'
Euro slips, German ban keeps markets under tension
Lindsay Lohan misses LA court hearing after Cannes theft
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Japan town bans public servants from growing beards
Euro slips, German ban keeps markets under tension
Tuberculosis most deadly of 'neglected' diseases
Obama turns on glamour for Mexico state dinner
US Fed sees stronger economic recovery
More Most Viewed »
Scientists stunned as grey whale sighted off Israel
Lack of sleep linked to early death: study
UN fears 'irreversible' damage to natural environment
Earth may be too hot for humans by 2300: study
Ocean fish could disappear in 40 years: UN
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 20 May 2010 Britain's coalition faces internal rumblings on tax
|
State of emergency in South Kyrgyzstan after ethnic clash
|
Polish floods threaten to damage Auschwitz site
|
Deerfield Beach Teen Finally Going Home From Rehab Center
U.S. Officials Discuss Anti-Terrorism Strategies with Pakistani President
Nun Excommunicated For Suggesting Abortion
Justin Bieber Returns To #1 Spot On Billboard Albums Chart With "My World 2.0"
Beyonce, Ne-Yo To Appear On "Essence Music Festival" Live CD/DVD
Thai army vehicles bring down protest barricade
Negro League Ball Park, Art Deco Building Declared Endangered Historic Places
Fed Officials Bump Up Economic, Employment Outlook For 2010
India evacuates people as cyclone Laila strengthens
Billionaire Polo Mogul Charged In DUI Manslaughter Of College Grad
Mortgage Activity Dips As Purchase Applications Plummet
Thai troops open fire at protest encampment
Calderon Calls Arizona Law Discriminatory," Obama Nods
US seeks to regain Iran initiative with sanctions move
Lawmakers ask FTC to look into Google Wi-Fi data
|
Google unveils Web app store for games
|
Major operators to roll out LiMo phones this year
|
CBS tries for Thursday night laughs in fall lineup
|
Korean star Yun Jung-hee back on screen at Cannes
|
Twenty-eight found dead after Turkish mine blast
Suspect ETA military chief held in France: sources
South Korea says North torpedoed ship as tensions rise
|
Inventor of first cash machine dies at 84
Defiant Iran shrugs off sanctions pressure
Lobo says ousted president can return to Honduras any time
US Fed sees stronger economic recovery
Iran dismisses U.N. sanctions draft
Bolivian president backs embattled Spanish judge
Symantec buying VeriSign unit for 1.28 billion dollars
Chemical sweep yields hope in malaria battle: study
Protesters abandon Bangkok refuge as curfew extended
|
Taliban attack biggest NATO base in Afghanistan
Russia summons minister in Khodorkovsky's trial
Google 'screwed up' in capturing private Wi-Fi data: Brin
Obama turns on glamour for Mexico state dinner
Iran dismisses U.N. sanctions draft
|
Ringo Starr Set For U.S. Tour
Merkel: Crisis-hit Europe needs 'new stability culture'
Johnson warns England stars to beware tour pitfalls
Court Orders Tax-Cheating Bridal Shop Owner To Donate 1,500 Prom Dresses As Restitution
US-TECH Summary
Gunmen kill peace broker in Pakistan's Waziristan
|
U.S. Markets Dip On German Stock Restrictions, Rising Foreclosures
Apple laptop user has "vultures" lawsuit dismissed
Factional clashes in Pakistan's Karachi kill at least 17 people
|
Google unveils Web app store for games
U.S. To Deport Immigrant Students Who Staged Sit-In At Senators Office
Darfur rebel leader 19-hour standoff ends
|
Adobe embracing Apple-favored online video format
New Conan OBrien Show To Debut In November
Colombian top candidates tied for May 30 vote
|
College students stabbed in dorms in south China
|
Lawmakers ask FTC to look into Google Wi-Fi data
Twenty-eight found dead after Turkish mine blast
|
Afghan officials: tail of missing plane spotted
Google building online Chrome application shop
Troops move against protest holdouts in Bangkok
Google sets Wave free
Tearful Cambodians commemorate Khmer Rouge victims
US envoy to meet Israel PM for indirect peace talks
Vietnam considers axing firing squads
Mexico president slams Arizona 'discrimination'
Protesters abandon Bangkok refuge
Australian ninja students rescue mugging victim
Florida fears deepen as oil enters the Loop Current
Man charged with trying to take weapons on U.S. flight
Suspected Maoist rebels attack Indian train
US oil spill in Loop Current 'heading for Florida'
Gunmen kill former lawmaker in NW Pakistan
Malaysia state-run TV fires outspoken producer
College students stabbed in dorms in south China
Apple laptop user has vultures lawsuit dismissed
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Stephen Baldwin making timely oil documentary
Indian telecom stocks rally after 3G auction
Heist project catches "Field of Dreams" writer
Euro falls as debt concerns persist
"Cosmic" kids book transforming into feature
S.Korea won posts biggest weekly loss in 14 months
Crystal to battle Lee for "American Idol" title
KOSPI posts near 3-mth closing low on foreign sales
Sex toys for women of Uruguay
Graphic novelist alleges "Heroes" ripoff
NZ budget cuts income taxes to speed recovery
Japanese economy surges, but risks remain
France to build new mega-mosque
China stands firm on currency ahead of talks with US
Britain to screen first TV ads for abortion services
Crystal to battle Lee for American Idol title
|
Factional clashes in Pakistan's Karachi; 17 dead
Eastern European films cast shadow at Cannes
Graphic novelist alleges Heroes ripoff
|
India's 3G spectrum auction raises $14.6 billion
Ratings agency Fitch keeps NZ on negative outlook
Curtains for Shrek marks challenge for DreamWorks
|
Justin Bieber rules pop chart as sales slump
|
Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz back for Twilight
|
Michaels still getting headaches after brain hemorrhage
|
Heist project catches Field of Dreams writer
|
Stephen Baldwin making timely oil documentary
|
Tibetan choreography master seeks the unknown in others
|
Searchers find Afghan plane wreckage
Paris museum burglar grabs $120 mln art haul
Merkel to campaign for markets tax at G20
Samsung unit sees firm smartphone market
Germany leads charge for tax on financial markets
After Facebook, Pakistan shuts down YouTube
Dubai World 'reaches agreement over debt'
U.S. launches criminal probe on soldiers in Afghanistan
|
Asian moms hooked on Internet for children, selves: study
Euro slips, German ban keeps markets under tension
Iran could cancel uranium deal over sanctions
|
US Presents 20 Police Model Harley Davidsons To Lebanese National Police
Rakuten to acquire Buy.com for $250 million in U.S. push
Lindsay Lohan misses LA court hearing after Cannes theft
After Facebook, Pakistan shuts down YouTube
|
Tough US measures needed to beat climate change: experts
American Citizen Guilty Of Sending Money To Al Qaeda
Body Found In Colorado Ditch Near Missing Girl's Home
Afghans detain Taliban governor
|
Cuban Cardinal and President Castro in rare meeting
|
Stop That! You'll Go Deaf! Viagra May Cause Hearing Loss
Greek strikers march on parliament against cuts
|
US-TECH Summary
U.S. envoy holds talks with Israeli PM Netanyahu
|
Gluten-Free Diet May Have No Impact On Autism
Samsung unit sees firm smartphone market
Pakistan army pays heavy price in Taliban war
|
Smallville Marks Finale On 10th Season
Apple laptop user has "vultures" lawsuit dismissed
Ninja students foil Aussie mugging
Man Fatally Shot At Florida Air Force Base
Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene Settle Salary Dispute, To Return For Breaking Dawn
Mothers ask Iran to free US hikers as 'gesture'
Thai govt declares protest violence mostly quelled
Belly Fat May Lead To Dementia Down The Road
U.S. launches criminal probe on soldiers in Afghanistan
US investigating Afghan civilian deaths
American Idol Down To Final Two
Pakistan blocks YouTube, Facebook in blasphemy row
Maldives: Afghan govt, Taliban hold talks
Indonesia seeks seven years for 'Prince of Jihad'
Thai troops hunt militants as Bangkok smoulders
Annoyed by cellphones chats? Scientists explain why
|
Prosecutors seek 7 years jail for alleged militant
Samsung unit sees firm smartphone market
|
After Facebook, Pakistan shuts down YouTube
|
N.Korean torpedo sank S.Korean warship: investigators
FCC's Copps says wireless competition eroded
|
HP plans Web-connected printers without PCs
|
Asian moms hooked on Internet for children, selves: study
|
Pakistan's forex reserves fall to $15.05 bln
Pakistan's Faysal wins bid for RBS Pakistan-source
WRAPUP 1-Taiwan GDP growth moderates; Europe clouds outlook
Toyota expert Sato calls for new leadership
Taiwan economy grows its fastest in over 3 decades
S.Korea KIC, CIC consider Chesapeake stakes -report
Kidman: No more than 3 days apart from Urban
North Korea weighs on South Korean markets
Indian telecom outlook uncertain after 3G auction
New film explores outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame
NZ says budget back in black by 2016, revamps taxes
Paris thieves net Picasso, Matisse in $124 million heist
Fewer stars at Cannes but celebrity business goes on
Boyzone singer Keating says splits from wife
|
Second detained Iranian director on hunger strike
|
Fewer stars at Cannes but celebrity business goes on
|
Paris thieves net Picasso, Matisse in $124 million heist
|
New film explores outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights