The latest NZIER Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion (QSBO) shows business confidence improved further over the September quarter, although the sentiment is still generally downbeat. On a seasonally adjusted basis, a net 53 percent of businesses expect a worsening in general economic conditions over the coming months – down from 60 percent in the previous quarter. Demand remains soft, with a net 17 percent of businesses reporting reduced activity in their own business in the September quarter. A net 14 percent also expect weaker demand in their own business in the next quarter. Significant easing in labour shortages ... (full story)