Perfect storm hits trade accounts; Flat retail

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Retail Trade; International Trade Flat retail trade: Sales were flat in April after ten prior months of gains. Annual spending growth eased from 4.4 per cent to 4.1 per cent,

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Stronger, broad-based economic growth

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National accounts Firmer growth: The Australian economy grew by 0.9 per cent in the March quarter after a 0.5 per cent increase in the December quarter. Forecasts had centred on

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Reserve Bank mulls the next move

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Reserve Bank Board meeting The cash rate has been left at a record low of 2.00 per cent. The Reserve Bank hasn’t provided any guidance on future interest rate changes.

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Biggest fall in business investment in 5½ years

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Business investment Softer investment: New business spending on buildings or equipment fell by 4.4 per cent in the March quarter – the biggest fall since September quarter 2009. Expected business

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Consumers upbeat on family finances

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Consumer confidence Consumer confidence A net 27 per cent of consumers are positive on their finances over the next year – a result that was last bettered 13 months ago.

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China: Investment slides to a 15-year low

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Chinese economic data Chinese retail sales rose at a 10.0 per cent annual rate in April – the slowest growth rate in nine years. The result was below forecasts (+10.5

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Rate cut drives investor activity

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Housing Finance; Consumer confidence; Credit & Debit Cards Home loans: The number of loans (commitments) for people who are buying or building homes to live in (owner-occupiers) rose by 1.6

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Federal Budget: Short & longer-term goals

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Federal Budget preview Kinder, gentler Budget? The Federal Budget will be focussed on the short-term imperative of rebuilding confidence and the longer-term goal of increasing participation in the workforce. In

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Hours worked lifts at the fastest pace in four years

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Labour force Jobs losses: Employment fell by 2,900 in April after rising by a revised 48,200 in March (previously estimated at a 37,700 gain in jobs). Full-time jobs fell by

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Retail lift; Beer consumption at 68-year low

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Retail Trade; New Home Sales; Alcohol Consumption Retail trade grew: Sales rose for the tenth straight month, up by 0.3 per cent in March after rising by 0.7 per cent

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