Robin Clements Quotations

With the likelihood that the Reserve Bank will be easing sooner rather than later, and other parts of the world actually raising rates, the pressure's going to remain on the currency.

Growth is expected to slow further, with a recession possible.

The fact that the bank's left the rate unchanged and is saying there's still no easing ought to be positive for the currency by preserving that rate advantage the kiwi dollar has.

With some speculation that the RBNZ could have moved by 50 basis points, the end result was a market reaction consistent with an element of relief.

We need to see imports soften off if we are ever going to solve the current account deficit problem. That's why we've seen the currency respond to the wider deficit. It's worrying that the current account deficit will stay large.

We are amidst a soft patch that may turn out to be recessionary.

The oil price spike raises the risk that the rate cut may have to be pushed out to the middle of the year.

Despite the protests of politicians and some business people that we were nowhere near recession, obviously we're very close. I think the bank will ease, and the market will undoubtedly move to price it in earlier.

As of today, petrol prices at the pump are 14 per cent above the March quarter average.

Accordingly, there is no case for further rate hikes in our view.

It's not what you would have wanted of you wanted to avoid higher rates.

It's not good news and adds to likelihood the current account is going to deteriorate further and cast a shadow over the currency,

Stockprices can go up as far as the moon.

It will add to the picture, in my view, that they will not need to do any more tightening.