Job losses and murky outlook

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Employment fell by 27,000 in June after a revised 27,900 (previously 38,900 in May). Economists had expected a flat result. In June part-time jobs rose by 6,600 after falling by

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Business confidence slides to a ten-month low

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The NAB business confidence index fell from -2.2 to – 2.7 in June – a ten-month low. Business conditions improved from a 3-year low, up from -3.9 to -1. The

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Chinese inflation sidelined

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China’s annual inflation rate fell from 3 per cent to 2.2 per cent in June – a 29-month low. The June result was marginally better than forecasts centred on a

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Retail stimulus

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Retail spending rose by 0.5 per cent in May after lifting by an upwardly revised 0.1 per cent in April. Annual spending growth rose from 2.4 per cent to 3.5

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Reserve Bank maintains a watching brief

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The Reserve Bank Board left the official cash rate on hold at 3.50 per cent. The cash rate is at the lowest level in 2½ years (December 2009). The next

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The year that was – 2011/2012

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The Australian sharemarket fell by 11.1 per cent with total returns down 7.0 per cent. But bond returns rose 14.6 per cent – the best gains in 15 years. Telecommunications

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Cash is still king

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Australian companies are continuing to hold more money in liquid cash and deposits than ever before. Just under half of financial assets at private sector companies are held in cash

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Hopes for a lift in Aussie spending

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A measure of economy-wide spending posted solid growth in seasonally adjusted terms in May, raising hopes that rate cuts may lift activity in the retail sector. The Commonwealth Bank Business

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Europe the driver behind “finely balanced” rate cut

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The decision to follow up the half a per cent rate cut in May with another quarter of a per cent cut in June was not as clear cut as

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Biggest job gains in 18 months

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Over the three months to May, employment across Australia rose by 60,400 – the best quarterly jobs growth since the three months to November 2010. What does it all mean?

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