New low for first-time buyers; Confident businesses

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Latest economic data; Chinese inflation; Weekly Petrol The number of new owner-occupier housing loans was largely unchanged in April but the share of first-time buyers in the market equalled the record... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update – week ending 6 June, 2014

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Investment markets and key developments over the past week Global share markets mainly rose over the past week on the back of further monetary stimulus from the European Central Bank.... Read more continue reading

Perspective: The week ahead

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The ECB cut rates and introduced aggressive expansionary measures to lift EZ growth. The US payrolls data tonight will likely set the tone for markets next week. The US and... Read more continue reading

Exports to China hit new highs

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International Trade Trade swings back into deficit: Australia’s trade accounts moved back into the red in April, recording a deficit of $122 million. But the March trade surplus was revised... Read more continue reading

Australian economy: What’s not to like?

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National accounts Another quarter of growth: The record-breaking economic expansion is in its 23rd year. The Australian economy grew by 1.1 per cent in the March quarter (fastest rate in two years)... Read more continue reading

Housing affordability shows slight improvement for March quarter

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The March Quarter edition of the Adelaide Bank/REIA Housing Affordability Report shows improvements in housing affordability in all states and territories when compared to the same quarter in 2013. Commenting... Read more continue reading

Biggest fall in home prices in over 5 years

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Home prices; Inflation gauge; Manufacturing gauge Home prices drop: The RP Data – Rismark Home Value Index of capital city home prices fell by 1.9 per cent in May – the... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update – week ending 30 May, 2014

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Investment markets and key developments over the past week Share markets mostly rose over the past week helped by relief at the conclusion of the European and Ukrainian elections, mostly... Read more continue reading

Lending lifts; Deposits record biggest fall in 11yrs

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Private sector credit Private sector credit (lending) rose by 0.5 per cent in April after a 0.4 per cent lift in March. Annual credit growth rose from 4.4 to 4.5 per... Read more continue reading

Residential construction (finally) takes off

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Construction Work Done – QI 2014 The volume of construction work done rose by 0.3% in QI.  It is 2.6% higher through the year. Residential construction surged by 6.8% while... Read more continue reading