Spending slumps; Trade surplus with China soars

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Retail trade, International trade Retail spending slumped by 1.1 per cent in October, below forecasts centred on a rise of 0.4 per cent. Nonfood retailing fell by a much larger

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Investor Signposts Week Beginning December 5 2010

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The big picture Most people tend to regard the national accounts as just an update on economic growth. But the publication is far more comprehensive than that, covering indicators such

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Record economic expansion moves into 20th year

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National accounts The current economic expansion began in the September quarter of 1991. The 19th year of the expansion was completed in the June quarter 2010 and the 20th year

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Puritan Australia? Alcohol and gambling shunned

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Consumer spending trends Aussie consumers are making fewer trips in the car but travelling more on planes and trains. And while we are spending more on little luxuries like shoes,

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Dwelling approvals rebound, Credit sluggish

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Latest economic data New dwelling approvals rose for the first time in seven months – up 9.3 per cent in October. The RP Data-Rismark Hedonic Australian Home Value Index –

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Profits and sales slide as businesses temper activity

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Business indicators; New Home Sales; Petrol price Company profits fell by 1.5 per cent in the December quarter, led by the construction sector. Excluding mining, profits fell by a much

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More joy for motorists; Construction loans slump

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Lending finance; Petrol price; Credit/debit cards The Australian Institute of Petroleum reports that the average Australian petrol price fell by 2.2 cents last week. Over the past fortnight prices have

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Unemployment rate slides to 19-month low

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Labour force Employment rose by 30,900 in August, in line with forecasts centred on job gains of around 29,000. The July result was revised up to show job growth of

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