Property beats cash

From

In the past, buying and selling property was considered an attractive way to make money. The theory was that home prices would rise around 8 per cent a year, almost

continue reading
15 Jan 2013

RBA: Softening employment justifies rate cut

From

The latest Reserve Bank Board minutes suggests that the decision to cut interest rates in December was largely due to the softening in labour market conditions and confirmation of the

continue reading
19 Dec 2012

The Big Issues for 2013

From

For the best part of the past decade, CommSec has produced “The Big Issues” report – a report that has sought to highlight issues that are expected to influence on

continue reading
17 Dec 2012

The Santa Claus effect

From

Is there a Santa Claus effect? CommSec has always been sceptical about research showing whether there is a ‘right’ time to be buying shares. But we decided to re-visit the

continue reading
11 Dec 2012

Onward & upward Australia

From

The record-breaking economic expansion has notched up another quarter of growth. The Australian economy grew by 0.5 per cent in the September quarter to stand 3.1 per cent higher than

continue reading
07 Dec 2012

Interest rates fall: Are we there yet?

From

The Reserve Bank Board reduced the official cash rate by 25 basis points (quarter of a per cent) to 3.00 per cent. The next Board meeting is on February 5

continue reading
06 Dec 2012

Biggest drop in profits since GFC

From

Company profits fell for the fourth straight quarter, dropping by 2.9 per cent in the September quarter. Profits stand 13.0 per cent lower than a year ago. Sales fell in

continue reading
04 Dec 2012

Weak lending adds weight to rate cut case

From

Private sector credit (lending) rose by just 0.1 per cent in October after rising by 0.3 per cent in September. Annual credit growth eased from 4.0 to 3.8 per cent

continue reading
03 Dec 2012

Record resource projects: like putting man on the moon

From

The Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) has estimated that committed investment in resources and energy major projects in Australia increased to a record $268.4 billion at October 2012.

continue reading
30 Nov 2012

Aussie dollar lifts in response to Chinese data

From

There were further signs of recovery of the Chinese economy with the HSBC “flash” purchasing managers index rising from 49.5 to a 13-month high of 50.4 in November. The Aussie

continue reading
23 Nov 2012