Weekly economic & market update

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The bad news earlier in the past week threatened to see a return to panic in Europe. Spain’s economy is now bearing down on various regional governments forcing them to

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Confidence levels pick up

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The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer confidence rose by 4.1 per cent in February to a reading of 101.1. Sentiment levels are still down 5.2 per cent on a year

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Record number of firms shun finance

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The NAB business confidence index rose from +3.1 to +4.0 in January, below the long-run average of +6.4.  Business conditions improved from +0.1 to +2.1, below the long-run average of

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Tame inflation but petrol pain ahead

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Inflation is under control: The TD Securities-Melbourne Institute monthly inflation gauge rose by 0.5 per cent in December and stands 2.4 per cent higher than a year ago. Excluding volatile

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The big issues for 2012

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Murphy’s Law states: Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. And clearly 2011 could be best described as the year when Murphy’s Law reigned. First there were significant floods across

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RBA takes out insurance in an uncertain world

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The Reserve Bank Board has cut official rates for the second consecutive month, trimming the cash rate by 25 basis points (quarter of a percent) to 4.25 per cent. The

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The reign in Spain…

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The latest political upheaval within the eurozone occurred in Spain over the weekend. Swept in by an historic margin, the new centre-right government, formed by the People’s Party, faces monumental

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CommSec Research: Australia’s wealth grows at a record pace

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The Bureau of Statistics has released detailed estimates on the economy’s performance in 2010/11. The net worth (wealth) of Australia – total assets less liabilities – stood at $8,089.9 billion

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AMP Capital: Weekly economic & market update

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The weekly economic and market report reviews the key developments of the past week for investment markets, as well as the outlook. Headline developments of the past week After much delay Europe

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In two speed world economy, one region provides two thirds of global growth

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We inhabit a two-speed economic world – and the growth differential between buoyant East and depressed West is getting wider. More than two thirds of all global growth this year

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