Depressed services sector; 4WD sales soar

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Latest economic data The services sector is going backwards. The Performance of Services index fell from 50.7 to 46.2 in November. Any reading below 50 suggests that the services sector

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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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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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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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Spending remains sluggish across Australia

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CBA Business Spending index A recovery in spending across the Australian economy remains elusive according to a key gauge.The Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator (BSI) was unchanged in October after

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Comparing Aussie companies: facts & fiction

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Company financial statistics In recent weeks investors have no doubt found it difficult to sort fact from fiction in the public discussion about company balance sheets. Some commentators have questioned

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Investor Signposts: Week Beginning November 21 2010

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The big picture In the US, investors have been cheering the election result. That may seem odd, given the fact that it appears a recipe for doing nothing – a

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