Wages winners & losers

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Average weekly ordinary time earnings rose by just 0.5 per cent in the December quarter with private sector wages up 0.4 per cent and public sector wages up 0.7 per

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27 Feb 2012

The CommSec 30/40/50 project

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Many Australian consumers complain about the high cost of living. But more than likely you would hear the same complaint if you went back 30 years ago or even 50

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22 Feb 2012

More jobs but outlook still murky

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Employment rose by 46,300 in January after a revised 35,700 fall in December (previously reported as a 29,300 decline). Economists had expected a 10,000 lift in jobs. Healthy mix in

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17 Feb 2012

Confidence levels pick up

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The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence rose by 4.1 per cent in February to a reading of 101.1. Sentiment levels are still down 5.2 per cent on a year

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16 Feb 2012

Record number of firms shun finance

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The NAB business confidence index rose from +3.1 to +4.0 in January, below the long-run average of +6.4.  Business conditions improved from +0.1 to +2.1, below the long-run average of

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15 Feb 2012

Rate cuts still likely as RBA downgrades growth

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The Reserve Bank has not ruled out further interest rate cuts. Near term growth and inflation forecast have been downgraded, albeit mildly while the central bank remains optimistic about the

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13 Feb 2012

Lunar holiday distorts inflation landscape

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Chinese New Year boosts Inflation. China’s annual inflation rate rose from 4.1 per cent to 4.5 per cent in January – above expectations. Over the month inflation rose by 1.5

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10 Feb 2012

Interest rates on hold – for now anyway

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The Reserve Bank Board has left official rates at 4.25 per cent. Last year the Reserve Bank cut rates at both the November and December meetings, each by 25 basis

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08 Feb 2012

Seasonal businesses blow hot & cold

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Seasonal businesses rely on ‘normal’ weather conditions. In simple terms, in summer it needs to be hot and in winter in needs to be cold. But for those businesses relying

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01 Feb 2012

Jobs: the winners & losers

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The Hunter region of NSW had the lowest unemployment rate in the nation over 2011 averaging 2.3 per cent while the Far North of Queensland had the highest jobless rate,

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30 Jan 2012