Credit card balances edge higher

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Credit/debit cards Credit card balances rose in September. The average credit card balance stood at a $3,261.60 in September, up $7.90 on August. The average credit card balance is up... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update – 12 November 2010

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Headline developments of the past week Shares, commodities and commodity currencies like the Australian dollar have had a tough week partly on renewed European debt concerns and worries that further... Read more continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning November 14 2010

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Upcoming economic and financial market events The big picture It never ceases to surprise how many people treat budget figures as facts rather than estimates. The Mid Year Economic and... Read more continue reading

More looking, but not all finding work

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Labour force; Chinese data Employment rose by 29,700 in October, in line with forecasts centred on job gains of around 20,000. Fulltime employment fell by 14.100 and part-time jobs rose... Read more continue reading

Confidence falls to five month low on rate hike

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Housing finance; Consumer sentiment As expected, the Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence fell in the latest month in response to the latest interest rate hike. The index fell by... Read more continue reading

Profit slump but Government still upbeat

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NAB business survey; Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) NAB business confidence index eased from +10.1 to +8.1 in October. The business conditions index fell from +6.7 in September... Read more continue reading

Stronger Aussie dollar outpaced by gains in oil price

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Job advertisements; Petrol price Petrol prices are set to rise – but modestly. The rally in the Australian dollar has been outpaced by gains in regional oil prices. According to... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update: 5 November 2010

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Headline developments of the past week The contrast in global central banks was stark over the past week with those in weak countries such as the US, Japan and Europe... Read more continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning November 7 2010

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The big picture In the past there have been a host of factors cited by the Reserve Bank to justify lifting interest rates. So what about the most recent lift... Read more continue reading

Consumers remain super-cautious on spending

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Retail trade, International trade Retail spending grew by just 0.3 per cent in September, below expectations centred on a rise of 0.4 per cent. Non-food retailing rose by 0.4 per... Read more continue reading