US Federal Reserve approves QE3

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Earlier today, the US Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) approved another round of unconventional monetary stimulus, agreeing to deliver the third set of quantitative easing (QE3). The plans announced... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update – risk on!

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The past week has been another good one for investors as various key events that investors had been worrying about have continued to pass with positive outcomes. The big news... Read more continue reading

Biggest fall in credit card debt in 18 years

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The average credit card balance fell by $69 (2.0 per cent) to $3,299.10 in July. It was the biggest fall in credit card debt for a July month on record... Read more continue reading

Preference for bank deposits hits 38-year high

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The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence rose by 1.6 per cent in September to a reading of 98.2. Sentiment levels are up 1.3 per cent on a year ago.... Read more continue reading

Data supports new Chinese spending plans

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Latest Chinese data has retail sales up by 13.2 per cent in the year to August (consensus 13.2 per cent); industrial production up 8.9 per cent – the weakest rate in... Read more continue reading

Oliver’s Insights: The going gets tougher for the lucky country

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Australian economic growth was solid at 3.7% over the year to the June quarter. However, the best has been seen with growth set to slow below 3% over the year... Read more continue reading

Record trade surplus with China

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In the year to July, Australia’s trade surplus with China hit a record $33.66 billion. But over the same period Australia recorded a record trade deficit with the US of... Read more continue reading

Weekly economic & market update – Super Mario (and probably the Fed) to the rescue

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Outlined below is the weekly economic and market report that reviews the key developments of the past week for investment markets and the outlook. After committing to do whatever it takes... Read more continue reading

More people give up search for work

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The unemployment rate eased from 5.2 per cent to 5.1 per cent in August. The participation rate eased from 65.2 per cent to a near 6-year low of 65.0 per... Read more continue reading

Happy 21st Birthday Australia!

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The Australian economy has just completed its 21st year of growth; the last recession ended in the June quarter of 1991. It is the longest expansion in Australia’s history. In... Read more continue reading