New Zealand businesses stay optimistic despite oil price volatility, survey shows

SYDNEY, Oct 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand business confidence edged higher in October, with firms remaining relatively optimistic as all forward-looking activity indicators turned positive despite the volatilities in oil prices, an ANZ Bank survey showed on Thursday.

Business confidence rose to a net 52.5% of respondents expecting the economy to improve over the year ahead, up from 51.9% in September, while 46.2% expected their own activity to grow, down slightly from 47.9%.

"Some firms have been pleasantly surprised by the resilience of demand ... others are realising that come what may, continually deferring some decisions, such as around investment, brings its own risks," the survey said.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)