The likely economic/financial impact of Japan’s earthquake

From

Key points The Japanese earthquake has caused terrible human suffering. In terms of the economic impact, in the short term it will likely depress Japan’s economy as a result of

continue reading

China: Food inflation remains high

From

Chinese economic data Inflation prints above forecast. China’s annual inflation rate held steady in February at 4.9 per cent, but was above expectations centred on a result near 4.8 per

continue reading

Credit: How Irish is Australia?

From

Summary Ireland has gone from financial market darling to a challenging credit in the space of three years. With a similar concentrated banking system that has a high exposure to

continue reading

Biggest fall in jobs in 18 months

From

Labour force Employment fell by 10,100 people in February – the biggest decline in 18 months (since August 2009). Economists had tipped job gains of 20,000 (range from -10,000 to

continue reading

Aussie travellers ahead in new Global Airfares Index

From

Global price comparisons The Centre of Asia Pacific Aviation has released new airfares data covering routes across the globe: http://www.centreforaviation.com/profiles/airports/ (select airport, then click Fares and select route). CommSec has

continue reading

Investor Signposts: Week Beginning March 13 2011

From

The big picture One of the biggest issues currently is rising food prices. Food prices began rising in the second half of 2010 and hit record highs in January. The

continue reading

Construction lending hits two year low

From

Consumer sentiment; Housing finance Lending to build new homes slumped in January. Loans to build homes fell by 9.4 per cent in January to their lowest level in two years.

continue reading

The Aussie Economy – The Big Picture

From

Economic Perspectives A host of economic figures have been released over the past week including the latest national accounts data – the most comprehensive assessment of the Australian economy. So

continue reading

Petrol at 29-month highs and rising

From

Weekly Petrol; Job Ads; Performance of Construction According to the Australian Institute of Petroleum, the national average Australian price of unleaded petrol rose by 2.9 cents per litre to 139.2

continue reading

The inventories puzzle solved

From

Economic Perspectives The GDP (economic growth) figures were released last week. And the question we are getting asked most is what is the story with inventories – that is, unsold

continue reading