Cautious optimism from economists ahead of the latest inflation numbers. 

Stats NZ will deliver its latest inflation update on the year to December at 10.45 this morning. 

Many economists expect it to be slightly down, but ANZ predicts it will remain unchanged and BNZ is forecasting a slight rise. 

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley told Ryan Bridge we need to still be cautious as domestic inflation remains relatively high. 

He says for inflation to stay around 2% the domestic rate needs to come down. 

LISTEN ABOVE