Global Reflation Mark II, gold and the Australian dollar

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Key points The sub-par recovery in the US, Japan and Europe and constrained fiscal policy most likely means that we will see another round of global policy reflation, centred on

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RBA sets the scene for a rate hike

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RBA Board minutes; ABARE Australian Commodities; Airfares Minutes of the last Reserve Bank Board meeting echo’s the sentiments of the Governors speech yesterday and adds further weight to the likelihood

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Petrol spikes as discounting cycle resumes

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Petrol price; RBA Governor speech Petrol prices have risen for the first time in five weeks. The Australian Institute of Petroleum reports that the average Australian petrol price rose by

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Spending posts first gain in nine months

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CBA Business Spending index Tentative signs of a recovery in consumer spending. A key gauge of economy-wide spending posted its strongest result in nine months in August. The Commonwealth Bank

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Melbourne-Sydney: World’s 3rd busiest air route?

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Air traffic data Based on the latest available government aviation statistics, the Melbourne-Sydney air route can claim the mantle of the third busiest route in the world. There were just

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Weekly market & economic update 17 September 2010

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Headline developments of the past week Global financial market regulators – known as the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision – announced tougher capital requirements for banks so that they can

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Powerhouse mining sector

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Quarterly Labour force data; RBA Speech; Imports In percentage terms, employment in the mining sector expanded rapidly over the past year. In the year to August, mining sector employment grew

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Consumers display caution

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Dwelling starts at six-year Consumer sentiment; New car sales; Dwelling starts The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence eased in the latest month. The index fell by 5.0 per cent

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Businesses hopeful; Farmers rejoice; Cash is still king

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NAB business survey; ABARE Crop Report; Consumer finances Business confidence is up; conditions are down. According to the NAB business survey, the business confidence index rose from +2.4 in July

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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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