New Zealand Business Sentiment Hits Lowest Since 2024 Recession

New Zealand business sentiment slumped in March to the lowest since mid-2024 when the economy was in recession as the Middle East conflict hits the outlook for earnings and investment.

The business confidence index fell to 32.5 from 59.2 in February, ANZ Bank New Zealand said Tuesday in Wellington. That’s the lowest since July 2024. A gauge of firms’ own-trading fell to 39.3 from 52.6.