Weekly market & economic update Friday 08 October 2010

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Headline developments of the past week The Reserve Bank of Australia surprised many by leaving interest rates on hold, but it made it quite clear that it retains a tightening... Read more continue reading

Healthy trade; petrol prices to creep higher

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International trade; Job advertisements; Petrol price The trade surplus widened in August. The trade surplus rose by $603 million to $2,346 million. Exports fell by 2.4 per cent while imports... Read more continue reading

Good inflation data to cheer Reserve Bank

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Inflation gauge The TD Securities-Melbourne Institute monthly inflation gauge rose by just 0.05 per cent in September – the lowest increase in 11 months – after lifting 0.2 per cent... Read more continue reading

Housing slowdown may delay rate hike

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Trends in housing The release of the building approvals and home price data is an opportune time to focus on the latest trends in the housing market. Dwelling approvals, new... Read more continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning October 3 2010

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The big picture Next week the Reserve Bank is widely expected to lift interest rates. Interestingly if you go back just over a fortnight ago no major forecaster was expecting... Read more continue reading

Weekly market and economic update – 01 October 2010

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Headline developments of the past week Concerns about problems in Europe returned to the fore over the last week with Moody’s downgrading Spain’s credit rating, ongoing issues regarding Irish banks,... Read more continue reading

Manufacturing contracts to nine-month lows

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Performance of Manufacturing The Performance of Manufacturing index fell by 4.4 points in September to a nine-month low of 47.3.  Any reading below 50 means the manufacturing sector is contracting.... Read more continue reading

Weak data raises doubts about imminent rate hike

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Latest economic data The outlook for home builders remains sluggish. New dwelling approvals fell for the fourth time in the past five months – down by 4.7 per cent in... Read more continue reading

Home prices fall again in August

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House Prices The RP Data-Rismark Hedonic Australian Home Value Index – the largest property database in Australia – reported that home prices fell by 0.2 per cent seasonally adjusted terms... Read more continue reading

Baby-boom! Migration levels ease

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Population statistics Australia’s population grew by 403,082 people over the year to March. Population growth consolidated, increasing by 1.8 per cent over the past year, however continuing to ease from... Read more continue reading