NZ 1Q Unemployment Rate Expected at 5.8%

        0418 GMT [Dow Jones] New Zealand's unemployment rate is expected to have continued to fall in 1Q, although the rate of growth in employment seems to have slowed, according to a Wall Street Journal poll of 14 economists. The median of the poll sees the unemployment rate at 5.8% vs 6.0% in 4Q, while employment is expected to have risen 0.6% on quarter vs a 1.1% rise in 4Q. "Given very large surge last quarter, some payback likely even though the labour market clearly is on a tightening trend," Citi says in a research note. The data are due Wednesday. (lucy.craymer@wsj.com;Twitter: @lucy_craymer)
        (END) Dow Jones Newswires

        May 02, 2014 00:18 ET (04:18 GMT)