Cash holdings rise to record highs

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The proportion of super funds (pension funds) assets held in cash rose from 14.3 per cent to 15 per cent in the June quarter, well above the decade average of

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Investor Signposts: Week Beginning September 26 2010

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The big picture Finally one of the great myths has been debunked. The Reserve Bank has finally acknowledged that housing affordability is not a major problem in Australia. Neither is

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Cold start to spring poses risks for retailers

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Economic focus Australian retailers, especially those dependent on seasonal purchases, could face new pressures unless the weather starts to warm up in the next few weeks. Capital cities such as

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RBA sets the scene for a rate hike

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RBA Board minutes; ABARE Australian Commodities; Airfares Minutes of the last Reserve Bank Board meeting echo’s the sentiments of the Governors speech yesterday and adds further weight to the likelihood

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Petrol spikes as discounting cycle resumes

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Petrol price; RBA Governor speech Petrol prices have risen for the first time in five weeks. The Australian Institute of Petroleum reports that the average Australian petrol price rose by

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Spending posts first gain in nine months

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CBA Business Spending index Tentative signs of a recovery in consumer spending. A key gauge of economy-wide spending posted its strongest result in nine months in August. The Commonwealth Bank

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Melbourne-Sydney: World’s 3rd busiest air route?

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Air traffic data Based on the latest available government aviation statistics, the Melbourne-Sydney air route can claim the mantle of the third busiest route in the world. There were just

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Investor Signposts: Week Beginning September 19

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Upcoming economic and financial market events Australia September 20    Reserve Bank Governor speech    Foodbowl Unlimited Forum Luncheon in Shepparton September 21    RBA Board minutes (September 7)    Minutes of the last

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Aussies embrace financial stocks

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Reserve Bank Bulletin The Reserve Bank Bulletin released yesterday has provided a breakdown of the ownership of Aussie equities. The portfolio allocations between households and institutional investors differ significantly. Mum

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Powerhouse mining sector

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Quarterly Labour force data; RBA Speech; Imports In percentage terms, employment in the mining sector expanded rapidly over the past year. In the year to August, mining sector employment grew

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