Chinese inflation sidelined

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China’s annual inflation rate fell from 3 per cent to 2.2 per cent in June – a 29-month low. The June result was marginally better than forecasts centred on a... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update

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Global interest rates cuts but disappointing economic data and the renewal of European concerns dominated financial markets last week. America’s payrolls report for June was soft with only +80,000 new... Read more continue reading

Retail stimulus

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Retail spending rose by 0.5 per cent in May after lifting by an upwardly revised 0.1 per cent in April. Annual spending growth rose from 2.4 per cent to 3.5... Read more continue reading

Market outlook after a rough financial year

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Unfortunately, the past financial year has been disappointing for investors exposed to shares, with global shares returning -2.1% in local currency terms and Australian shares returning -6.7% as worries about... Read more continue reading

Reserve Bank maintains a watching brief

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The Reserve Bank Board left the official cash rate on hold at 3.50 per cent. The cash rate is at the lowest level in 2½ years (December 2009). The next... Read more continue reading

The year that was – 2011/2012

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The Australian sharemarket fell by 11.1 per cent with total returns down 7.0 per cent. But bond returns rose 14.6 per cent – the best gains in 15 years. Telecommunications... Read more continue reading

Weekly economic & market update

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Euro-zone – back from the abyss. The past week has been dominated by the European Union leaders’ summit, with Germany insisting that centralised controls of budgets and banking be in... Read more continue reading

Cash is still king

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Australian companies are continuing to hold more money in liquid cash and deposits than ever before. Just under half of financial assets at private sector companies are held in cash... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update

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The past week has seen a number of positive developments with “pro-bailout” parties forming a coalition Government in Greece, some signs that Europe is moving towards addressing its problems and... Read more continue reading

Hopes for a lift in Aussie spending

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A measure of economy-wide spending posted solid growth in seasonally adjusted terms in May, raising hopes that rate cuts may lift activity in the retail sector. The Commonwealth Bank Business... Read more continue reading