Risk that La Niña could persist over 2011

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La Niña update The current La Niña weather event is responsible for the flooding across eastern and southern Australia as well as the severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi. The current La

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Reserve Bank signals rates on hold

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RBA Statement on Monetary Policy The recent floods and softer-than-expected economic data have caused the Reserve Bank to tinker with short-term forecasts, but the longer-term forecasts are unchanged. Given the

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Home prices at 18-month lows

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Home prices Capital city home prices rose by 0.2 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms in December after falling by 0.1 per cent in November according to the RP Data-Rismark

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Flood levy proposed – but is it necessary?

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Economic issues The Prime Minister has proposed a levy on higher-income Australians to assist in meeting the damage bill from the east coast floods. The levy will apply in 2011/12

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Investor Signposts: Week Beginning January 30 2011

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The big picture With the first Reserve Bank Board meeting for 2011 scheduled for next Tuesday, it’s opportune to do a stock take of our current economic fortunes. First there

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Wealth hits record highs; Debt slides again

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Modellers’ Database: Wealth & debt Wealth is at record highs. Wealth held by Australians in property, shares and other assets hit record highs at the end of September. The latest

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Sales strengthen as growth continues for retailers

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CBA Business Spending index The Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator (BSI) was unchanged in trend terms in December after previously falling for twelve straight months. But the weakness remains narrowly

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Investor Signposts: Week Beginning January 23 2011

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The big picture In general, investors find it an easy task to work out how the Australian sharemarket is performing. It is merely a case of looking at a benchmark

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Young workers miss out in job stakes

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Latest economic news There were fewer young Australians with jobs at the end of 2010 than a year earlier. Employment for those aged between 15-19 years actually fell by 6,100

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Floods: Weighing up the costs

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Economic impact of floods The east coast floods were caused by the La Niña weather event. La Niña will continue until at least March. El Niño and La Niña are

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