Share prices, consumer spending and the GFC

From

In this issue we look at share markets in Australia and around the world – how they have fared in the GFC and what may lie ahead as the debt

continue reading

Floods take toll on corporate Australia

From

NAB Business Survey; PMI The NAB business confidence index fell from +6.2 to -2.7 in December – the weakest reading in 20 months. The business conditions index rose from +3.7

continue reading

First currency-based Exchange Traded Fund launched in Australia

From

The ASX Group (ASX) announces the launch today of the first exchange traded fund (ETF) over currency to be traded on the Australian Securities Exchange. The currency ETF will track

continue reading

BetaShares launches Australia’s first currency ETF

From

BetaShares U.S. Dollar ETF ASX code: USD ETF tracks performance of US$ relative to the A$ Simple structure opens up foreign exchange markets to retail investors at wholesale rates For

continue reading

Weekly market & economic update 28 January 2011

From

Headline developments The Australian Government announced that it needs around $5.6bn to help rebuild flood affected areas and that it will source $1.8bn of this from a temporary levy on

continue reading

Why are Australian shares lagging? Will it continue?

From

Key points Australian shares have disappointingly underperformed traditional global shares over the last year on the back of monetary tightening, worries about a housing bubble, the strong $A and Chinese

continue reading

Wealth hits record highs; Debt slides again

From

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

continue reading

Petrol pain; Tame business inflation

From

Producer price index; Weekly petrol price The broad measure of business inflation – the producer price index (PPI) – rose by just 0.1 per cent in the December quarter, well

continue reading

Weekly market & economic update – 21 January 2011

From

Headline developments An acceleration in Chinese economic growth in the December quarter to an estimated annualised pace of around 12% along with ongoing inflation worries have reinforced the case for

continue reading

Consumer bonanza as import prices fall

From

Import & export prices Prices of imported goods slumped by 3.8 per cent in the December quarter, driven largely by the appreciation of the Australian dollar. Import prices are 1.0

continue reading