Australian retail sales rebounded by more than expected in August as warmer weather brought forward spring spending after a midwinter slump.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, retail sales rose 0.7 percent - beating out initial predictions of 0.4 percent.

HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham says it's clear recent tax cuts have driven up consumer spending.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Construction continues to slow, although consents for office and public transport buildings have risen 26 percent.

Stats NZ says new home consents dropped 20 percent in the year to August - and standalone new builds fell 9.7 percent.

Consents for townhouses, apartments, retirement village units, and flats are down 27 percent.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen unpacks the factors behind the decline.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another Global Dairy Trade auction is expected to take place tonight - and experts are predicting more good news this time round.

There was a substantial life off the back of the previous auction - with a 0.8 percent increase across the board.

The Country's Jamie Mackay outlined his predictions ahead of tonight's results.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZIER's latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) shows a marked improvement in business confidence in the September quarter.

A net 5 percent of firms expect a deterioration in general economic conditions over the coming months - a significant drop from the net 40 percent that expected a downturn three months ago.

NZIER deputy chief executive Christina Leung says demand was quite weak over the September quarter, but expectations have gone up for the subsequent months.

"Expectations for the next quarter are looking more positive, and that's particularly the case for sectors such as retail and services - to the extent that these are the sectors that are more exposed to the household sector."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs has argued a merger blocked by the Commerce Commission would benefit consumers and suppliers.

The competition watchdog has decided merging the chain's North and South Island co-ops would substantially lessen competition.

Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says they're likely to appeal the decision - based on the evidence they have at this point.

He says the move would only have changed the support each retailer received.

"Which is out of sight of customers and a part of retail competition - to bring it together in a more efficient way so that we can keep delivering value and innovation for New Zealanders. That's the disappointing thing about today's outcome."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis struggling to stay afloat have turned to credit cards to bridge the cap amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

New credit card application enquiries have reached their highest level since 2021- and card arrears have jumped 4.4 percent in August.

Sorted Personal Finance Lead Tom Hartmann says living costs have increased and bills have piled up - and people feel the need to borrow their way through it.

"From power, from kids' sports fees - it could be many different situations. And this is just one way to get through it."

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over in China, regulators recently announced a range of monetary and fiscal stimulus policy changes aimed at fostering economic stabilisation and improving consumer confidence.

Official interest rates were cut and the Government announced a number of central bank spending programmes aimed at stabilising housing and supporting consumption.

Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly unpacked these new policy changes - and explained what China's economic growth could mean for New Zealand.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synlait Milk has reported a net loss of $182.1 million and stumped up with a one-off payment to try to keep supplying South Island farmers.

The embattled dairy processor reported its full-year results to July 31 on Monday with revenue up 2 percent to $1.64 billion.

It took a total non-cash impairment of $114.6 million during the year against its long-term assets.

CEO Grant Watson says the 2024 financial year was a difficult one - but things look to be in a better position for next year.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.