Profit season: Mixed, but earnings still growing

From

Corporate profit season The general sense is that the profit-reporting season has so far proved very mixed. And the numbers back it up. Figures produced from Bloomberg show that there... Read more continue reading

Retailers benefit as consumers continue to spend

From

CBA Business Spending index The Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator (BSI) eased yet again in trend terms in January, but it certainly wasn’t all bad news. In fact only a... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update – 18 February 2011

From

Headline developments of the past week There was good news out of China with January inflation coming in lower than expected owing to a lower than expected rise in food... Read more continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning February 20 2011

From

The big picture One of the biggest issues at present is the conservatism of Aussie consumers. Australians are saving again, rather than spending. And rather than buying goods on credit... Read more continue reading

Unleaded petrol sales slump to 13-year lows

From

Petrol Sales; RBA Speech; Imports Petrol sales in the September quarter were the lowest for any September quarter in five years, as consumers and businesses focussed on cutting costs. Unleaded... Read more continue reading

Car sales slide as buyer caution emerges

From

New car sales Australian new car sales recorded a modest fall in January. Car sales fell by 1.9 per cent in January – marking the biggest monthly fall in six... Read more continue reading

Where are we in the investment cycle for shares?

From

Key points While mainstream global shares may be due for a short term correction, the cyclical recovery still has further to go. Shares are still cheap, confidence in the sustainability... Read more continue reading

Chinese inflation remains a threat

From

Chinese inflation data Inflation prints below forecast. China’s annual inflation rate lifted modestly in January, from 4.6 per cent to 4.9 per cent, but was still below expectations centred on... Read more continue reading

Lending lifts but consumers still cautious

From

Lending finance; ABARE Crop Report; RBA Board minutes Lending rose in December. Total lending finance rose for the fourth consecutive month up by 2.4 per cent in December. Lending totalled... Read more continue reading

Confidence stabilises but trend index at 20mth lows

From

Consumer sentiment The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence rose modestly in February following the sharp slide in January. The index rose by 1.9 per cent to 106.6 in February.... Read more continue reading