The latest NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) showed a sharp pick-up in business confidence over the final quarter of 2023. While a net 10 percent of firms are still expecting a worsening in general economic conditions over the coming months on a seasonally adjusted basis, this is a significant decrease from the net 49 percent in the previous quarter and the net 79 percent a year ago. This significant improvement in business confidence is amidst increased demand, with a net 6 percent of firms reporting an increase in their own trading activity in the December 2023 quarter on a seasonally adjusted ... (full story)