Sales strengthen as growth continues for retailers

From

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

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

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning January 23 2011

From

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

continue reading

Young workers miss out in job stakes

From

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

continue reading

China: Robust growth and inflation moderates

From

Chinese economic data Chinese economic activity picked up pace in the last three months of the year. The Chinese economy grew at a 9.8 per cent annual rate in the

continue reading

Floods disaster dents confidence

From

Consumer sentiment The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence fell sharply in the latest month as the flood disaster in Queensland impacted sentiment. The index fell by 5.7 per cent

continue reading

Floods: Weighing up the costs

From

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

continue reading

State of the States

From

State & territory economic performance report How are Australia’s states and territories performing? CommSec has attempted to find out by analysing eight key indicators: economic growth; retail spending; equipment investment;

continue reading

Tame inflation; Petrol pain ahead

From

Weekly Petrol Price, Inflation gauge; Lending finance; New car sales Motorists need to prepare for higher petrol prices. The terminal gate or wholesale price of petrol leapt by over 2

continue reading

Discount airfares hit record lows

From

Index of Airfares All airfares except discount fares rose in January. Domestic airfares generally rose in January with business fares up 2.9 per cent, full economy fares up 1.1 per

continue reading