Lending lifts but consumers still cautious

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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

Custody to be under the spotlight in a rebalancing world

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The peak body for Australia’s growing custodial and investment administration sector ACSA says the industry will face some unique challenges as it continues to meet the needs of institutional clients... Read more continue reading

Confidence stabilises but trend index at 20mth lows

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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

BT Life Insurance launches to the independent financial adviser market

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BT Financial Group will deliver a fresh approach to the life insurance sector by extending their insurance footprint and launching an independent financial adviser (IFA) end-to-end solution. Launching the first... Read more continue reading

La Niña gauge hits 10-week low

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La Niña update There are further signs that the current La Niña weather event has peaked. The Southern Oscillation index fell to a 10-week low of +18.1 on February 11.... Read more continue reading

Cheaper homes encourage buyers

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Housing finance; Credit card lending; Weekly Petrol Price Lending to build new homes recorded a healthy increase in December. Loans for the construction of dwellings rose by 1.0 per cent... Read more continue reading

Insync FM Sees a Better Way into Emerging Markets Through Power Brands such as Nestlé

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International equity fund manager, Insync Funds Management, believes that the best way to access the investment returns in expensive emerging market companies is to follow the consumer power brands into... Read more continue reading

Budget deficit target at risk

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Federal budget The underlying budget deficit continued its modest improvement, easing from $59.3 billion in the twelve months to November 2010 to $58.5 billion in the 2010 calendar year. CommSec... Read more continue reading

Weekly market & economic update – 11 February 2011

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Headline developments of the past week China continued to tighten the monetary screws with another interest rates hike. This should not really have been a surprise to anyone and further... Read more continue reading

RBA Testimony – Rates solidly on hold

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Semi-annual testimony The Reserve Bank Governor has delivered the clearest message yet that interest rates are on hold for some time. The tone and comments from the testimony is consistent... Read more continue reading