State of the states – state & territory performance report

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Each quarter CommSec attempts to find out how the states and territories are performing by analysing eight key indicators: economic growth; retail spending; equipment investment; unemployment, construction work done; population... Read more continue reading

US “industrial renaissance” leads three speed global outlook, says global funds manager

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The US economy looks set to benefit from an industrial renaissance in the coming decade driven by access to cheap domestic energy, says Threadneedle Investments (Threadneedle) CIO Mark Burgess. This... Read more continue reading

Oliver’s Insights: China – soft landing, slow easing, shares cheap

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China’s growth rate has slowed to 8.1%…given monetary easing it is likely to stabilise at around 8% this year, consistent with a soft landing. Chinese economic data for March contained... Read more continue reading

Rate cut on the horizon

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The latest Reserve Bank Board minutes confirms that a rate cut is on the cards for next month provided inflation remains in check. “Slower growth in demand could be expected... Read more continue reading

Oliver’s Insights: Here we go again?

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After strong share market gains in the March quarter a correction or rough patch was inevitable and we now may have entered just that, particularly with the Euro-zone debt crisis... Read more continue reading

Global equity market recap – quarter 1

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Global equity investors enjoyed strong, broad-based gains during the first quarter of 2012. The Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 rose 12.6%, its best first-quarter rally since 1998. International markets, represented... Read more continue reading

China achieves soft landing, now for the recovery

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Chinese economic data was weaker than expected; the Chinese economy grew at an 8.1 per cent annual rate in the March quarter (consensus 8.4 per cent) down from 8.9 per... Read more continue reading

What’s next for global equities?

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Last year was a tough one for global economic growth and markets. I think we’re starting to see the early signs of at least the US economy turning a corner. ... Read more continue reading

Weekly economic & market update

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The past week saw volatility return in a big way to investment markets. Initially share markets fell sharply in response to the poor US non-farm payroll release and intensifying concerns... Read more continue reading

More jobs, but outlook still murky

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Employment rose by 44,000 in March after falling by 15,400 in February; economists had expected a 7,000 lift in jobs. Healthy mix in jobs: In March part-time jobs rose by... Read more continue reading