Deficit on track, but surplus in 2012/13 is hard work

From

On current figuring the Government will go close to achieving its goal of a budget deficit just over $37 billion this financial year, representing just over 2.5 per cent of

continue reading
07 May 2012

Beer consumption hits 65-year low

From

Beer consumption has hit a 65-year low. The apparent consumption of alcohol consumed as beer fell from 4.45 litres to 4.23 litres per person, in 2010/11- the lowest result since

continue reading
04 May 2012

RBA says it’s time to muscle up

From

The Reserve Bank Board cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points (half of a percentage point) to 3.75 per cent. The cash rate is at the lowest level

continue reading
02 May 2012

Rate cut all but certain after weak inflation data

From

The Consumer Price Index – the main measure of inflation in Australia – rose by 0.1 per cent in the March quarter, well below expectations centred on a 0.6 per

continue reading
27 Apr 2012

Aussie 10-year bond yields hit 61-year low

From

Yields on Australian 10-year bonds have fallen to the lowest levels since the early 1950s. This week, Aussie 10-year government bond yields hit 3.648 per cent – the lowest yield

continue reading
26 Apr 2012

Business deflation?

From

The broad measure of business inflation – the producer price index (PPI), or final stage prices, – fell by 0.3 per cent in the March quarter – marking the biggest

continue reading
24 Apr 2012

State of the states – state & territory performance report

From

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

continue reading
23 Apr 2012

Rate cut on the horizon

From

The latest Reserve Bank Board minutes confirms that a rate cut is on the cards for next month provided inflation remains in check. “Slower growth in demand could be expected

continue reading
18 Apr 2012

China achieves soft landing, now for the recovery

From

Chinese economic data was weaker than expected; the Chinese economy grew at an 8.1 per cent annual rate in the March quarter (consensus 8.4 per cent) down from 8.9 per

continue reading
16 Apr 2012

More jobs, but outlook still murky

From

Employment rose by 44,000 in March after falling by 15,400 in February; economists had expected a 7,000 lift in jobs. Healthy mix in jobs: In March part-time jobs rose by

continue reading
13 Apr 2012