Weekly economic and market update: week ending July 26

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While US and Japanese shares consolidated previous week’s gains, European, Asian and Australian shares had solid gains with the latter back decisively above the 5000 level. Flash manufacturing PMIs for... Read more continue reading

Investment outlook after a strong financial year

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Key points The past financial year saw returns of over 20% from Australian and global shares drive very strong returns from balanced and growth oriented investment strategies, including from superannuation... Read more continue reading

Household debt trends

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Australian households have housing debt levels that are high by international standards. But income and asset characteristics of relevant households suggest that they can service the debt comfortably. Housing loans... Read more continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning July 21 2013

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Upcoming economic and financial market events Australia July 22: State of the States – CommSec’s quarterly assessment of state/territory economies July 24: Consumer Price Index (June Qtr) – We expect... Read more continue reading

State of the States – July 2013

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State & territory economic performance report How are Australia’s states and territories performing? Each quarter CommSec attempts to find out by analysing eight key indicators: economic growth; retail spending; equipment... Read more continue reading

CommSec: New data allays fears about Chinese economy

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Latest Chinese economic data The Chinese economy grew at 7.5 per cent annual pace in the June quarter – in line with forecasts.The economy grew by 1.7 per cent in... Read more continue reading

Housing finance report – May 2013

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Total housing lending rose by 2.0% in May and is 15.5% higher over the year. Owner‑occupied lending continues to trend upwards. The number of loans to owner‑occupiers rose by 1.8%... Read more continue reading

Commsec: Unemployment rate lifts to 4-year high

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Labour force Jobs & jobless rate: Employment rose by 10,300 in June after falling by a revised 700 jobs in May (previously reported as a 1,100 rise in jobs). Economists had... Read more continue reading

Commsec: Mining states more pessimistic

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Consumer confidence; Chinese trade data Consumer sentiment: The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence fell by 0.1 per cent in July. Three of the five components of the index fell in... Read more continue reading

Video: Zurich’s three key themes in three minutes

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View the latest edition of the Zurich’s three key themes in three minutes with investment specialist, Angus Crennan which covers: Shadow Banking in China US crude oil has recached production... Read more continue reading