Spending slumps; Trade surplus with China soars

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Retail trade, International trade Retail spending slumped by 1.1 per cent in October, below forecasts centred on a rise of 0.4 per cent. Nonfood retailing fell by a much larger

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Investor Signposts Week Beginning December 5 2010

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The big picture Most people tend to regard the national accounts as just an update on economic growth. But the publication is far more comprehensive than that, covering indicators such

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Record economic expansion moves into 20th year

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National accounts The current economic expansion began in the September quarter of 1991. The 19th year of the expansion was completed in the June quarter 2010 and the 20th year

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Puritan Australia? Alcohol and gambling shunned

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Consumer spending trends Aussie consumers are making fewer trips in the car but travelling more on planes and trains. And while we are spending more on little luxuries like shoes,

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Dwelling approvals rebound, Credit sluggish

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Latest economic data New dwelling approvals rose for the first time in seven months – up 9.3 per cent in October. The RP Data-Rismark Hedonic Australian Home Value Index –

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Profits and sales slide as businesses temper activity

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Business indicators; New Home Sales; Petrol price Company profits fell by 1.5 per cent in the December quarter, led by the construction sector. Excluding mining, profits fell by a much

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Reserve Bank Governor signals pause on rates

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Testimony of Reserve Bank Governor In delivering testimony to the House of Respresentatives Economics Committee, the Reserve Bank Governor has given clear signals that interest rate settings are on hold

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RBA signals pause on rates

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Testimony of Reserve Bank Governor The Reserve Bank Governor has delivered testimony to the House of Respresentatives Economics Committee. Transcripts of the testimony have been released. Selected comments from the

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Mining investment leads the way

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Private New Capital Expenditure New business investment rose by 6.2 per cent in the September quarter – the biggest increase in three years. Mining dominated investment plans with investment in

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Investor Signposts: Week Beginning November 28 2010

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The big picture There’s no doubt that researchers have it easy nowadays compared with their predecessors even just a decade ago. There is just so much information freely available. And

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