Inflation surprise: rates now in focus

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The main measure of inflation in Australia – the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.9 per cent in the June quarter, above economist expectations focussed on an increase of

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RBA mulls over multi-speed economy

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The latest Reserve Bank minutes revealed that Board members remain generally optimistic about the medium term outlook, but in the near term the domestic economy seems to be facing some

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State of the states – state & territory performance report

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How are Australia’s states and territories performing? Each quarter CommSec attempts to find out by analysing eight key indicators: economic growth; retail spending; equipment investment; unemployment, construction work done; population

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New Carbon Tax: More or less certainty?

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Details on proposed Carbon Tax The Federal Government has proposed a new tax on carbon emissions of $23 a tonne to apply to 500 of the biggest corporate emitters from

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Investor Signposts: Week Beginning July 10 2011

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The big picture Confused about where the economy is heading? You’re in good company, with the boffins from the Reserve Bank also seemingly scratching their collective heads about where things

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Reserve Bank discovers its dovish side

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Reserve Bank Board meeting The Reserve Bank Board has left the cash rate at 4.75 per cent for the eighth straight month (covering seven formal meetings). The next meeting is

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Investor Signposts: Week Beginning July 3 2011

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Upcoming economic and financial market events The big picture Our central view is that the US economy is undergoing a mid-cycle pause and that growth will start to lift again

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CommSec: Population growth hits 5-year low and cash is now king

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Demographic data; Financial Accounts Australia’s population grew by 69,703 people over the December quarter to 22,477,378. Annual population growth slowed from 1.57 per cent to 1.47 per cent – the

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RBA confirms that it is ‘wait and see’ mode

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In a speech by RBA Assistant Governor (Economic) Philip Lowe entitled “Inflation: The Recent Past and the Future”, Mr Lowe has reiterated that the RBA believes underlying inflation will lift

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CommSec: Improved conditions for retailers

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CBA Business Spending Index There appears light in the tunnel for retailers. A key measure of economy-wide spending is now edging slightly higher after contracting for most of the past

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