Oliver’s Insights – Review of 2012, outlook for 2013

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This edition of Oliver’s Insights provides a review of key developments of relevance for investors in 2012 and the outlook for 2013. The key points are as follows: While 2012... Read more continue reading

The Santa Claus effect

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Is there a Santa Claus effect? CommSec has always been sceptical about research showing whether there is a ‘right’ time to be buying shares. But we decided to re-visit the... Read more continue reading

Weekly economic and market update

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The past week has seen reasonable gains in share markets despite fiscal cliff worries as economic data has generally been supportive. December is normally a strong month for shares but... Read more continue reading

Resilient Job Market

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Employment rose by 13,900 in November after a revised gain of 10,100 jobs in October (previously +10,700). Economists had expected a flat result. In November, full-time jobs fell by 4,200... Read more continue reading

Onward & upward Australia

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The record-breaking economic expansion has notched up another quarter of growth. The Australian economy grew by 0.5 per cent in the September quarter to stand 3.1 per cent higher than... Read more continue reading

Interest rates fall: Are we there yet?

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The Reserve Bank Board reduced the official cash rate by 25 basis points (quarter of a per cent) to 3.00 per cent. The next Board meeting is on February 5... Read more continue reading

Oliver’s Insights – RBA cuts rates, but not there yet

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The attached edition of Oliver’s Insights looks at the decision by the RBA to cut the official cash rate to its 2009 GFC low of 3%. The key points are... Read more continue reading

Biggest drop in profits since GFC

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Company profits fell for the fourth straight quarter, dropping by 2.9 per cent in the September quarter. Profits stand 13.0 per cent lower than a year ago. Sales fell in... Read more continue reading

Weak lending adds weight to rate cut case

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Private sector credit (lending) rose by just 0.1 per cent in October after rising by 0.3 per cent in September. Annual credit growth eased from 4.0 to 3.8 per cent... Read more continue reading

Weekly economic and market update

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The past week saw the rally in shares and commodities continue with fiscal cliff worries causing occasional swings but reasonable economic data and good news on Greece boosting confidence. Not... Read more continue reading