Government remains determined to achieve surplus

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The Federal Government has stuck by its forecast of a budget surplus this year. The Government is targeting a surplus of $1.1 billion, down modestly on the $1.5 billion surplus

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State of the States

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Each quarter CommSec attempts to determine the ‘state of the states’ by analysing eight key indicators: economic growth; retail spending; equipment investment; unemployment, construction work done; population growth; housing finance

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Sighs of relief on Chinese data

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Chinese economic data was in line or above expectations. The Chinese economy grew at a 7.4 per cent annual rate in the September quarter (consensus 7.4 per cent) down from

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RBA justifies rate cut

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The latest Reserve Bank Board minutes suggests that the decision to cut interest rates in October was more to boost confidence rather than to address any significant structural downturn. The

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Underlying strength in volatile job data

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Employment rose by 14,500 in September after a revised loss of 9,100 jobs in August (previously -8,800). Economists had expected 5,000 jobs to be added. In September, full-time jobs rose

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Ho hum consumers: Should the RBA be worried?

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The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence rose by 1.0 per cent in October to a reading of 99.2. Sentiment levels are up 2.0 per cent on a year ago.

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Not keen to hire: Job advertisements at 32mth low

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Bad news for job seekers – the number of job advertisements fell for the sixth straight month, dropping by 2.8 per cent in September to stand 10.8 per cent lower

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Online domestic retailers fight back

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Commonwealth Bank Equity Research Analysts have analysed the spending habits of two million CBA customers through the bank’s credit and debit card facilities. CBA cards data indicates growth in total

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Rate cut: Will it help or hurt?

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The Reserve Bank Board has cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points (quarter of a per cent) to 3.25 per cent. The Bank cited global factors as justifying

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Low inflation keeps door open for rate cut

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The TD Securities-Melbourne Institute monthly inflation gauge rose by 0.2 per cent in September after lifting by 0.6 per cent in August. Excluding volatile items, the inflation gauge was unchanged

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